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feasts and sacrifices that are to be celebrated in the holy city；
for it is fit that you should enjoy those fruits of the earth
which God gives you to possess； so as may be to the honor of the
donor。
9。 You are not to offer sacrifices out of the hire of a woman who
is a harlot （17） for the Deity is not pleased with any thing that
arises from such abuses of nature； of which sort none can be
worse than this prostitution of the body。 In like manner no one
may take the price of the covering of a bitch； either of one that
is used in hunting； or in keeping of sheep； and thence sacrifice
to God。
10。 Let no one blaspheme those gods which other cities esteem
such； （18） nor may any one steal what belongs to strange temples；
nor take away the gifts that are dedicated to any god。
11。 Let not any one of you wear a garment made of woolen and
linen； for that is appointed to be for the priests alone。
12。 When the multitude are assembled together unto the holy city
for sacrificing every seventh year； at the feast of tabernacles；
let the high priest stand upon a high desk； whence he may be
heard； and let him read the laws to all the people； and let
neither the women nor the children be hindered from hearing； no；
nor the servants neither； for it is a good thing that those laws
should be engraven in their souls； and preserved in their
memories； that so it may not be possible to blot them out； for by
this means they will not be guilty of sin； when they cannot plead
ignorance of what the laws have enjoined them。 The laws also will
have a greater authority among them； as foretelling what they
will suffer if they break them； and imprinting in their souls by
this hearing what they command them to do； that so there may
always be within their minds that intention of the laws which
they have despised and broken； and have thereby been the causes
of their own mischief。 Let the children also learn the laws； as
the first thing they are taught； which will be the best thing
they can be taught； and will be the cause of their future
felicity。
13。 Let every one commemorate before God the benefits which he
bestowed upon them at their deliverance out of the land of Egypt；
and this twice every day； both when the day begins and when the
hour of sleep comes on； gratitude being in its own nature a just
thing； and serving not only by way of return for past； but also
by way of invitation of future favors。 They are also to inscribe
the principal blessings they have received from God upon their
doors； and show the same remembrance of them upon their arms； as
also they are to bear on their forehead and their arm those
wonders which declare the power of God； and his good…will towards
them； that God's readiness to bless them may appear every where
conspicuous about them。 （19）
14。 Let there be seven men to judge in every city； （20） and these
such as have been before most zealous in the exercise of virtue
and righteousness。 Let every judge have two officers allotted him
out of the tribe of Levi。 Let those that are chosen to judge in
the several cities be had in great honor； and let none be
permitted to revile 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
heifer； and bring it to a valley； and to a place therein where
there is no land ploughed or trees planted； and let them cut the
sinews of the heifer； then the priests and Levites； and the
senate of that city； shall take water and wash their hands over
the head of the heifer； and they shall openly declare that their
hands are innocent of this murder； and that they have neither
done it themselves； nor been assisting to any that did it。 They
shall also beseech God to be merciful to them； that no such
horrid act may any more be done in that land。
17。 Aristocracy； and the way of living under it； is the best
constitution： and may you never have any inclination to any other
form of government； and may you always love that form； and have
the laws for your governors； and govern all your actions
according to them； for you need no supreme governor but God。 But
if you shall desire a king； let him be one of your own nation；
let him be always careful of justice and other virtues
perpetually； let him submit to the laws； and esteem God's
commands to be his highest wisdom； but let him do nothing without
the high priest and the votes of the senators： let him not have a
great number of wives； nor pursue after abundance of riches； nor
a multitude of horses； whereby he may grow too proud to submit to
the laws。 And if he affect any such things； let him be
restrained； lest he become so potent that his state be
inconsistent with your welfare。
18。 Let it not be esteemed lawful to remove boundaries； neither
our own； nor of those with whom we are at peace。 Have a