[If] he said to someone in the street, “Where is my bull that you stole?” and he replied, “I did not steal [it],” but witnesses tes-tify against him that he stole it —- he pays the twofold payment. [If] he slaughtered [it] —- or sold [it] —- he must pay a four-fold or fivefold payment. [If] he saw witnesses approaching, [and] he said, “I stole, but I did not slaughter or sell” —- he pays only the principal.

[If] one said to a borrower, “Where is my bull?” [and] he replied, “It died” —- whereas [in fact] it broke a limb, was captured, stolen, or lost; [or he replied,] “It broke a limb” —- whereas [in fact] it died, was captured, stolen, or lost; [or he replied,] “It was captured” —- whereas [in fact] it died, broke a limb, was stolen, or lost; [or he replied,] “It was stolen” —- whereas [in fact] it died, broke a limb, was captured, or lost; [or he replied,] “It was lost” —- whereas [in fact] it died, broke a limb, was captured, or stolen; [and he said to him,] “I adjure you,” and he replied, “Amen!” —- he is exempt.

[If he said to him,] “Where is my bull?” [and] he replied, “I don't know what you are talking about” —- whereas [in fact] it died, broke a limb, was captured, stolen, or lost; [and he said to him,] “I adjure you,” and he replied, “Amen!” —- he is liable.  [If] one said to a paid shomer or to a renter, “Where is my bull?” [and] he replied, “It died” —- whereas [in fact] it broke a limb or was captured; [or he replied,] “It broke a limb” —- whereas [in fact] it died or was captured; [or he replied,] “It was cap-tured” —- whereas [in fact] it died or broke a limb; [or he replied,] “It was stolen” —- whereas [in fact] it was lost; [or he re-plied,] “It is lost” —- whereas [in fact] it was stolen; [and he said to him,] “I adjure you,” and he replied, “Amen!” —- he is ex-empt.  [But if he replied,] “It died,” “It broke a limb,” or “It was captured” —- whereas [in fact] it was stolen or lost; [and he said to him,] “I adjure you,” and he replied, “Amen!” —- he is liable.  [If he replied,] “It is lost,” or “It was stolen” —- whereas [in fact] it died, broke a limb, or was captured; [and he said to him,] “I adjure you,`' and he replied, “Amen!” —- he is exempt. This is the rule: Whoever changes from one liability to another liability, from one exemption to another exemption, or from an exemption to a liability —- is exempt; from a liability to an exemption —- is liable. This is the rule: Whoever swears to make it more lenient for himself —- is liable; to make it more stringent for himself —- is exempt.