²⁰ Then the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing.

²¹ Then all the men of his town must stone him to death. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you, and all Israel will hear about it and be afraid.

¹³ Then everyone else will hear about it and be afraid to act so arrogantly.

¹¹ Then all Israel will hear about it and be afraid, and no one will act so wickedly again.

²⁰ Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

⁷ The witnesses must throw the first stones, and then all the people may join in. In this way, you will purge the evil from among you.