[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.