18 "Do not allow a sorceress to live. 19 "Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death. 20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.[1]

Other Translations of Exodus 22:18-20

King James Version

18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

English Standard Version

18 "You shall not permit a sorceress to live. 19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. 20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)

The Message

18 "Don't let a sorceress live. 19 "Anyone who has sex with an animal gets the death penalty. 20 "Anyone who sacrifices to a god other than God alone must be put to death.

New King James Version

18 "You shall not permit a sorceress to live. 19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. 20 "He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

New Living Translation

18 "You must not allow a sorceress to live. 19 "Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must certainly be put to death. 20 "Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:18-20

Chapter Contents

Judicial laws.

The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.