vile any others
when these are present, nor to carry themselves in an insolent manner
to them; it being natural that reverence towards those in high offices
among men should procure men's fear and reverence towards God. Let
those that judge be permitted to determine according as they think to
be right, unless any one can show that they have taken bribes, to the
perversion of justice, or can allege any other accusation against them,
whereby it may appear that they have passed an unjust sentence; for
it is not fit that causes should be openly determined out of regard
to gain, or to the dignity of the suitors, but that the judges should
esteem what is right before all other things, otherwise God will by that
means be despised, and esteemed inferior to those, the dread of whose
power has occasioned the unjust sentence; for justice is the power of
God. He therefore that gratifies those in great dignity, supposes them
more potent than God himself. But if these judges be unable to give a
just sentence about the causes that come before them, [which case is not
unfrequent in human affairs,] let them send the cause undetermined
to the holy city, and there let the high priest, the prophet, and the
sanhedrim, determine as it shall seem good to them.

15. But let not a single witness be credited, but three, or two at the
least, and those such whose testimony is confirmed by their good lives.
But let not the testimony of women be admitted, on account of the levity
and boldness of their sex [21] Nor let servants be admitted to give
testimony, on account of the ignobility of their soul; since it is
probable that they may not speak truth, either out of hope of gain,
or fear of punishment. But if any one be believed to have borne false
witness, let him, when he is convicted, suffer all the very same
punishments which he against whom he bore witness was to have suffered.

16. If a murder be committed in any place, and he that did it be not
found, nor is there any suspicion upon one as if he had hated the man,
and so had killed him, let there be a very diligent inquiry made after
the man, and rewards proposed to any one who will discover him; but if
still no information can be procured, let the magistrates and senate of
those cities that lie near the place in which the murder was committed,
assemble together, and measure the distance from the place where the
dead body lies; then let the magistrates of the nearest city thereto
purchase a h