Laws Concerning Witnesses

15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. (A)Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If (B)a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, (C)before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall (D)inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 (E)then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil[a] from your midst. 20 And the rest (F)shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. 21 (G)Your eye shall not pity. (H)It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 19:19 Or evil person

Laws about Witnesses

15 “The testimony of one person alone is not to suffice to convict anyone of any iniquity, sin, or guilt. But the matter will stand on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 16 When a malicious witness takes the stand[a] against a man and accuses him, 17 then both must stand with their dispute in the Lord’s presence, the priests, and the judges at that time. 18 The judges will investigate thoroughly. If the false witness lies in testifying against his relative, 19 do to him just as he intended to do to his relative. By doing this you will purge evil from your midst. 20 When others hear of this, they will be afraid and will not do such an evil deed again in your midst. 21 Your eyes must not show pity—life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.”

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 19:16 Lit. witness stands