the following instructions for the people of Israel. When any of you are unfaithful to the LORD and commit a wrong against someone,

you must confess your sin and make full repayment, plus an additional 20 percent, to the person you have wronged.

"When a person is accused of wronging another and is brought to your altar in this Temple to take an oath that he is innocent,

"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

"If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back.

And Jesus concluded, "That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

So watch what you do! "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.

Let them serve as judges for the people on a permanent basis. They can bring all the difficult cases to you, but they themselves can decide all the smaller disputes. That will make it easier for you, as they share your burden.

"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

"Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.

They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.

"Suppose two Israelites go to court to settle a dispute, and one is declared innocent and the other guilty.

Whenever your fellow citizens from any of the cities bring before you a case of homicide or any other violation of a law or commandment, you must instruct them carefully how to conduct themselves during the trial, so that they do not become guilty of sinning against the LORD. Unless you do, you and your fellow citizens will feel the force of the LORD's anger. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty.

(SEE 22:2)

"If anyone agrees to keep someone else's money or other valuables for him and they are stolen from his house, the thief, if found, shall repay double.