Deuteronomy 24:13
New International Version
Return their cloak by sunset so that your neighbor may sleep in it. Then they will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.

New Living Translation
Return the cloak to its owner by sunset so he can stay warm through the night and bless you, and the LORD your God will count you as righteous.

English Standard Version
You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible
be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God.

King James Bible
In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

New King James Version
You shall in any case return the pledge to him again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

New American Standard Bible
When the sun goes down you shall certainly return the pledge to him, so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
“When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

NASB 1977
“When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

Legacy Standard Bible
When the sun goes down you shall surely return the deposit to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God.

Amplified Bible
You shall certainly restore the pledge (security deposit) to him at sunset, so that he may sleep in his garment and bless you; and it will be credited to you as righteousness (right standing) before the LORD your God.

Christian Standard Bible
Be sure to return it to him at sunset. Then he will sleep in it and bless you, and this will be counted as righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be sure to return it to him at sunset. Then he will sleep in it and bless you, and this will be counted as righteousness to you before the LORD your God.”

American Standard Version
thou shalt surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before Jehovah thy God.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, give it back before sunset, so the owner can keep warm and sleep and ask the LORD to bless you. Then the LORD your God will notice that you have done the right thing.

English Revised Version
thou shalt surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Make sure you bring it back to him at sunset. When he wears his coat to bed [that night], he'll bless you. You will have done the right thing in the presence of the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
return it to him each evening, so that he can have it to sleep in. Then he will be grateful, and the LORD your God will be pleased with you.

International Standard Version
Be sure to return his garment to him at sunset so that he may sleep with it, and he will bless you. It will be a righteous deed in the presence of the LORD your God.

Majority Standard Bible
be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God.

NET Bible
You must by all means return to him at sunset the item he gave you as security so that he may sleep in his outer garment and bless you for it; it will be considered a just deed by the LORD your God.

New Heart English Bible
you shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

Webster's Bible Translation
In any case thou shalt deliver to him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee; and it shall be righteousness to thee before the LORD thy God.

World English Bible
You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Yahweh your God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you certainly give back the pledge to him at the going in of the sun, and he has lain down in his own raiment and has blessed you; and it is righteousness to you before your God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
thou dost certainly give back to him the pledge at the going in of the sun, and he hath lain down in his own raiment, and hath blessed thee; and to thee it is righteousness before Jehovah thy God.

Smith's Literal Translation
Turning back, thou shalt turn back to him the pledge as the sun went down; he lay down in his garment and blessed thee; and to thee shall be justice before Jehovah thy God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But thou shalt restore it to him presently before the going down of the sun: that he may sleep in his own raiment and bless thee, and thou mayst have justice before the Lord thy God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead, you shall return it to him promptly, before the setting of the sun, so that, sleeping in his own garment, he may bless you, and you may have justice in the presence of the Lord your God.

New American Bible
but shall definitely return it at sunset, so that your neighbor may sleep in the garment and bless you. That will be your justice before the LORD, your God.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall give the pledge back by sunset, so that your neighbor may sleep in the cloak and bless you; and it will be to your credit before the LORD your God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you shall return to him his mantle again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own mantle, and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But return his security to him when the sun has set and he shall sleep in his cloak, and he will bless you and you shall have righteousness before LORD JEHOVAH your God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
thou shalt surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless thee; and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt surely restore his pledge at sunset, and he shall sleep in his garment, and he shall bless thee; and it shall be mercy to thee before the Lord thy God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Additional Laws
12If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; 13be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God. 14Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.…

Cross References
Exodus 22:26-27
If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Luke 6:35-36
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. / Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Job 31:19-20
if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak, / if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Leviticus 19:13
You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

1 John 3:17-18
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Amos 2:8
They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. And in the house of their God, they drink wine obtained through fines.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Ezekiel 18:7
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.

Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Nehemiah 5:11-12
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.” / “We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.


Treasury of Scripture

In any case you shall deliver him the pledge again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless you: and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

deliver

Exodus 22:26,27
If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: …

Job 24:7,8
They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold…

Job 29:11-13
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: …

the sun

Deuteronomy 24:15
At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

2 Corinthians 9:13,14
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; …

Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

in his own raiment.

shall be

Deuteronomy 6:25
And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Deuteronomy 15:9,10
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee…

Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

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Bless Blessed Blessing Case Clothing Deliver Pledge Raiment Regarded Restore Righteous Righteousness Sleep Sleeping Sun Sunset Surely Thank Upper
Deuteronomy 24
1. Of divorce
5. A new married man goes not to war
6. Of pledges
7. Of kidnapping
8. Of leprosy
10. Of pledges
14. The hire is to be given
16. Of justice
19. Of charity














be sure to return it to him by sunset
This phrase refers to the practice of taking a cloak as a pledge for a loan. In ancient Israel, a cloak was an essential item, often serving as a person's only covering at night. The law required that such a pledge be returned by sunset to ensure the borrower could sleep comfortably. This reflects God's concern for the dignity and well-being of individuals, emphasizing compassion and justice. The principle of returning the pledge by sunset underscores the importance of timely restitution and respect for others' needs, aligning with the broader biblical theme of loving one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you
The cloak provided warmth and protection during the night, and its return would allow the borrower to rest peacefully. This act of kindness could lead the borrower to bless the lender, highlighting the reciprocal nature of generosity and goodwill. The blessing here is not just a verbal expression but a heartfelt gratitude that acknowledges the lender's righteousness. This reflects the biblical principle that acts of mercy and justice lead to blessings, as seen in Proverbs 11:25, which states that a generous person will prosper.

and this will be credited to you as righteousness
The concept of righteousness in this context is tied to fulfilling God's commandments and acting justly towards others. By returning the cloak, the lender demonstrates obedience to God's law and compassion for the borrower. This act is seen as righteousness, not in a salvific sense, but as a reflection of one's faithfulness to God's covenant. This mirrors the broader biblical theme where faith is credited as righteousness, as seen in Genesis 15:6 with Abraham's belief in God.

before the LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes that the act of returning the cloak is not just a social or legal obligation but a spiritual one, performed in the sight of God. It underscores the belief that God observes and values acts of justice and mercy. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that such actions are part of one's covenantal relationship with God, who is the ultimate judge of righteousness. This aligns with the biblical teaching that true righteousness involves living in accordance with God's will, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility before God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The audience receiving the laws, God's chosen people, preparing to enter the Promised Land.

3. The Borrower
An individual who has given his cloak as a pledge for a loan, representing the vulnerable in society.

4. The Lender
The person who has taken the cloak as security, representing those in a position of power or wealth.

5. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who commands justice and compassion.
Teaching Points
Compassionate Justice
The law in Deuteronomy 24:13 emphasizes the importance of compassion in justice. It is not enough to follow the law; one must also consider the well-being of others, especially the vulnerable.

Righteousness Before God
Returning the cloak is not just a legal obligation but an act of righteousness. It reflects a heart aligned with God's values of mercy and justice.

The Importance of Dignity
By ensuring the borrower can sleep in his cloak, the law upholds the dignity of the individual. This teaches us to respect and uphold the dignity of all people in our actions.

Blessings Through Obedience
The passage suggests that obedience to God's commands, especially those concerning justice and mercy, brings blessings. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises.

Practical Love
The command to return the cloak is a practical expression of love and care. It challenges believers to find tangible ways to express love to those in need.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
be sure to return
הָשֵׁב֩ (hā·šêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

[it]
הַעֲבוֹט֙ (ha·‘ă·ḇō·wṭ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5667: A pledge, article pledged

to him
ל֤וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

by sunset,
כְּבֹ֣א (kə·ḇō)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

so that he may sleep
וְשָׁכַ֥ב (wə·šā·ḵaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

in his own cloak
בְּשַׂלְמָת֖וֹ (bə·śal·mā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8008: A wrapper, mantle

and bless you,
וּבֵֽרֲכֶ֑ךָּ (ū·ḇê·ră·ḵe·kā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

and this will be
תִּהְיֶ֣ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

credited to you as righteousness
צְדָקָ֔ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

before
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 24:13 You shall surely restore to him (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 24:12
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