Deuteronomy 17:8-13

Living Bible

⁸ “If a case arises that is too hard for you to decide—for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder when there is insufficient evidence, or whether someone’s rights have been violated—you shall take the case to the sanctuary of the Lord your God, ⁹ to the priests and Levites, and the chief judge on duty at the time will make the decision. ¹⁰ His decision is without appeal and is to be followed to the letter. ¹¹ The sentence he imposes is to be fully executed. ¹² If the defendant refuses to accept the decision of the priest or judge appointed by God for this purpose, the penalty is death. Such sinners must be purged from Israel. ¹³ Then everyone will hear about what happened to the man who refused God’s verdict, and they will be afraid to defy a court’s judgment.