Both the buyer and the seller are governed by the [law of] fraud. Just as [the law of] fraud [applies] to a layman, so does [the law of] fraud [apply] to a merchant. R’ Yehudah says: [The law of] fraud does not [apply] to a merchant.  The one who has been imposed upon has the upper hand. If he wishes, he may say to him: “Give me my money”, or: ”Give me what you defrauded me.”

How much may a sela be defective, and yet there should still be no [infraction of the law of] fraud? R’ Meir says: Four issarin —- an issar to a dinar. R’ Yehudah says: Four pundeyonos —- a pundeyon to a dinar. R’ Shimon says: Eight pundeyonos —- two pundeyonos to a dinar.

Until when may one return [it]? In big cities, until he can show [it] to a money changer; in villages, until the eve of the Sab-bath. If he recognizes it [however], he should accept it from him even after twelve months. But he has only resentment against him. He may give it for the second tithe, and he need not fear, for it is only [out of] evil disposition [that one refuses this coin].

Four silver [ma’os] constitutes fraud. Two silver [ma’os] constitutes a claim, and the worth of a perutah constitutes a confes-sion.  There are five [laws involving a] perutah: The worth of a perutah constitutes confession; a woman may be married with the worth of a perutah; [if] one derives benefit worth a perutah from consecrated things, he has committed me’ilah; [if] one finds the worth of a perutah, he is required to announce [it]; and [if] one robs another of the worth of a perutah and swears to him, he must follow him with it even to Media.

Five [laws require the addition of] a fifth: [If] one eats terumah, terumah of the tithe, terumah of the tithe of demai, challah, or bikkurim, he must add a fifth; [if] one redeems his reva’i plantings or his second tithe, he must add a fifth; [if] one re-deems his consecrated objects, he must add a fifth: [if] one derives benefit the worth of a perutah from consecrated articles, he must add a fifth; and [if] one robs another of the worth of a perutah and swears to him, he must add a fifth.

The following things are not governed by [the law of] fraud: Slaves, deeds, land, and consecrated articles. [The rule of] two-fold payment does not [apply] to them, nor [that of] the fourfold and fivefold payment. An unpaid shomer need not take an oath, nor need a paid shomer pay.  R’ Shimon says: Consecrated articles for which one is responsible are governed by [the law of] fraud; but those for which he is not responsible are not governed by [the law of] fraud. R’ Yehudah says: Also one who sells a Torah scroll, an animal, or a pearl is not governed by [the law of] fraud. They said to him: They stated only these.

Just as there is wronging in buying and selling, so is there wronging with words. One shall not say to another: “How much does this article cost?” if he does not wish to purchase [it]. If he was a penitent, he shall not say to him: “Remember your former deeds!” If he was the son of proselytes, he shall not say to him: “Remember your ancestors’ deeds!” for it is said (Exodus 22:20): You shall neither wrong a proselyte nor oppress him.

Produce may not be mixed with [other] produce —- even new [produce] with [other] new [produce]; and, certainly, new with old. Truly, in [the case of] wine, they permitted to mix strong [wine] with mild [wine], because it improves it.  The lees of [one] wine may not be mixed with [another] wine, but he may give him its own lees. One whose wine was mixed with water may not sell it in a store, unless he notifies him; and not to a merchant —- even if he notifies him —- for this is only to deceive with it.  Wherever they are accustomed to put water into wine, they may put.

A merchant may take from five threshing-floors and put [it] into one bin; from five winepresses, and put [it] into one cask, as long as he does not intend to mix.  R’ Yehudah says: A storekeeper may not distribute parched corn or nuts to the children, because he accustoms them [to come] to him. The sages, however, permit [it].  He may not lower the price. The Sages, however, say: He is remembered for good.  He may not sift crushed beans; [these are] the words of Abba Shaul. The Sages, however, permit [it]. They agree, however, that he may not sift from the opening of the bin, for he is only like one who deceives the eye.  We may not beautify either man, beast, or utensils.

What is interest and what is increase? What is interest? [If] one lends a sela for five dinars, [or] two se’in of wheat for three, because he “bites.” And what is increase? One who increases through produce. How? [If] he purchased wheat from him at [the rate of] a golden dinar per kor, and that was the market price. [Then] wheat rose to thirty dinars, [and] he said to him: “Give me my wheat, for I wish to sell it and purchase wine for it.” He replied: “Your wheat shall be considered [a debt of] thirty dinars upon me, and you have [a claim of] wine upon me for them”; but he has no wine.

[If] one lends to another, he may not dwell in his courtyard gratis, nor may he rent it from him for less, because it is increase.  The rent may be increased, but the sale price may not be increased. How? [If] he rented him his courtyard, and said to him: “If you pay me now, you may have it for ten selaim per year, but if [you pay] for each month in its month, [you must pay] a sela per month,” it is permissible. [If] he sold him his field, and said to him: “If you pay me now, it is yours for a thousand zuz, [but] if at the time of threshing, [I give it to you] for twelve maneh,” it is prohibited.