Exodus 23:5

3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

4 If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.
KJV
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
WEB
If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.
ASV
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, thou shalt forbear to leave him, thou shalt surely release [it] with him.
DARBY
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under its burden, beware of leaving [it] to him: thou shalt certainly loosen [it] with him.
BLB
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, then do not leave it; you must surely help him with it.
ÅB
Når du ser din fiendes esel ligge under sin byrde, da vokt deg for å gå fra ham; du skal hjelpe ham med å løse byrden av.
OTB
Hvis du ser eselet til noen som hater deg ligge under sin byrde, skal du ikke la det bli der; du må hjelpe til med å frigjøre det sammen med dem.
B1930
Når du ser din fiendes asen ligge under sin byrde, da vokt dig for å gå fra ham; du skal hjelpe ham med å løse byrden av.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 22:4

    Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

    Read in context