²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^(A)

² For since the message spoken^(A) through angels^(B) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,^(C)

Witnesses

¹⁵ One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.^(A)

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.^(A) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”^[a](B)

¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.^(A)

¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^[a](A)

² If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant,^{(A) 3} and contrary to my command^(B) has worshiped other gods,^(C) bowing down to them or to the sun^(D) or the moon or the stars in the sky,^{(E) 4} and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true^(F) and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,^{(G) 5} take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.^{(H) 6} On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.^{(I) 7} The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death,^(J) and then the hands of all the people.^(K) You must purge the evil^(L) from among you.

Law Courts

⁸ If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge^(M)—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults^(N)—take them to the place the Lord your God will choose.^{(O) 9} Go to the Levitical^(P) priests and to the judge^(Q) who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.^{(R) 10} You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do. ¹¹ Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.^{(S) 12} Anyone who shows contempt^(T) for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering^(U) there to the Lord your God is to be put to death.^(V) You must purge the evil from Israel.^{(W) 13} All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.^(X)

¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.^(A) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹⁵ For he says to Moses,