Deuteronomy 25:2-3

New King James Version

² then it shall be, if the wicked man ^(A)deserves to be beaten, that the judge will cause him to lie down ^(B)and be beaten in his presence, according to his guilt, with a certain number of blows. ^3 (C)Forty blows he may give him and no more, lest he should exceed this and beat him with many blows above these, and your brother ^(D)be humiliated in your sight.