Exodus 22:21-31

“Don’t abuse or take advantage of strangers; you, remember, were once strangers in Egypt. “Don’t mistreat widows or orphans. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure I’ll take them most seriously; I’ll show my anger and come raging among you with the sword, and your wives will end up widows and your children orphans. “If you lend money to my people, to any of the down-and-out among you, don’t come down hard on them and gouge them with interest. “If you take your neighbor’s coat as security, give it back before nightfall; it may be your neighbor’s only covering—what else does the person have to sleep in? And if I hear the neighbor crying out from the cold, I’ll step in—I’m compassionate. “Don’t curse God; and don’t damn your leaders. “Don’t be stingy as your wine vats fill up. “Dedicate your firstborn sons to me. The same with your cattle and sheep—they are to stay for seven days with their mother, then give them to me. “Be holy for my sake. “Don’t eat mutilated flesh you find in the fields; throw it to the dogs.” * * *