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18。 Let it not be esteemed lawful to remove boundaries； neither
our own； nor of those with whom we are at peace。 Have a care you
do not take those landmarks away which are； as it were； a divine
and unshaken limitation of rights made by God himself； to last
for ever； since this going beyond limits； and gaining ground upon
others； is the occasion of wars and seditions； for those that
remove boundaries are not far off an attempt to subvert the laws。
19。 He that plants a piece of land； the trees of which produce
fruits before the fourth year； is not to bring thence any
first…fruits to God； nor is he to make use of that fruit himself；
for it is not produced in its proper season； for when nature has
a force put upon her at an unseasonable time； the fruit is not
proper for God； nor for the master's use； but let the owner
gather all that is grown on the fourth car； for then it is in its
proper season。 And let him that has gathered it carry it to the
holy city； and spend that； together with the tithe of his other
fruits； in feasting with his friends； with the orphans； and the
widows。 But on the fifth year the fruit is his own； and he may
use it as he pleases。
20。 You are not to sow with seed a piece of land which is planted
with vines； for it is enough that it supply nourishment to that
plant； and be not harassed by ploughing also。 You are to plough
your land with oxen； and not to oblige other animals to come
under the same yoke with them； but to till your land with those
beasts that are of the same kind with each other。 The seeds are
also to be pure； and without mixture； and not to be compounded of
two or three sorts； since nature does not rejoice in the union of
things that are not in their own nature alike； nor are you to
permit beasts of different kinds to gender together； for there is
reason to fear that this unnatural abuse may extend from beasts
of different kinds to men； though it takes its first rise from
evil practices about such smaller things。 Nor is any thing to be
allowed； by imitation whereof any degree of subversion may creep
into the constitution。 Nor do the laws neglect small matters； but
provide that even those may be managed after an unblamable
manner。
21。 Let not those that reap； and gather in the corn that is
reaped； gather in the gleanings also； but let them rather leave
some handfuls for those that are in want of the necessaries of
life； that it may be a support and a supply to them； in order to
their subsistence。 In like manner when they gather their grapes；
let them leave some smaller bunches for the poor； and let them
pass over some of the fruits of the olive…trees； when they gather
them； and leave them to be partaken of by those that have none of
their own； for the advantage arising from the exact collection of
all； will not be so considerable to the owners as will arise from
the gratitude of the poor。 And God will provide that the land
shall more willingly produce what shall be for the nourishment of
its fruits； in case you do not merely take care of your own
advantage； but have regard to the support of others also。 Nor are
you to muzzle the mouths of the oxen when they tread the ears of
corn in the thrashing…floor； for it is not just to restrain our
fellow…laboring animals； and those that work in order to its
production； of this fruit of their labors。 Nor are you to
prohibit those that pass by at the time when your fruits are ripe
to touch them； but to give them leave to fill themselves full of
what you have； and this whether they be of your own country or
strangers； … as being glad of the opportunity of giving them some
part of your fruits when they are ripe； but let it not be
esteemed lawful for them to carry any away。 Nor let those that
gather the grapes； and carry them to the wine…presses； restrain
those whom they meet from eating of them； for it is unjust； out
of envy； to hinder those that desire it； to partake of the good
things that come into the world according to God's will； and this
while the season is at the height； and is hastening away as it
pleases God。 Nay； if some； out of bashfulness； are unwilling to
touch these fruits； let them be encouraged to take of them （I
mean； those that are Israelites） as if they were themselves the
owners and lords； on account of the kindred there is between
them。 Nay； let them desire men that come from other countries； to
partake of these tokens of friendship which God has given in
their proper season； for that is not to be deemed as idly spent；
which any one out of kindness communicates to another； since God
bestows plenty of good things on men； not only for themselves to
reap the advantage； but also to give to others in a way of
generosity； and he is desirous； by this means； to make known to
others his peculiar kindness to the people of Israel； and how
freely he communicates happiness to them； while they abundantly
communicate out of their great superfluities to even these
foreigners also。 But for him that acts contrary to this law； let
him be beaten with forty stripes save one （22） by the public
executioner； let him undergo this punishment； which is a most
ignominious one for a free…man； and this because he was such a
slave to gain as to lay a blot upon his dignity； for it is proper
for you who have had the experience of the afflictions in Egypt；
and of those in the wilderness； to make provision for those that
are in the like circumstances； and while you have now obtained
plenty yourselves； through the mercy and providence of God； to
distribute of the same plenty； by the like sympathy； to such as
stand in need of it。
22。 Besides those two tithes； which I have already said you are
to pay every year； the one for the Levites； the other for the
festivals； you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be
distributed to those that want； （23） to women also that are
widows； and to children that are orphans。 But as to the ripe
fruits； let them carry that which is ripe first of all into the
temple； and when they have blessed God for that land which bare
them； and which he had given them for a possession； when they
have also offered those sacrifices which the law has commanded
them to bring； let them give the first…fruits to the priests。 But
when any one hath done this； and hath brought the tithe of all
that he hath； together with those first…fruits that are for the
Levites； and for the festivals； and when he is about to go home；
let him stand before the holy house； and return thanks to God；
that he hath delivered them from the injurious treatment they had
in Egypt； and hath given them a good land； and a large； and lets
them enjoy the fruits thereof； and when he hath openly testified
that he hath fully paid the tithes ＇and other dues＇ according to
the laws of Moses； let him entreat God that he will be ever
merciful and gracious to him； and continue so to be to all the
Hebrews； both by preserving the good things which he hath already
given them； and by adding what it is still in his power to bestow
upon them。
23。 Let the Hebrews marry； at the age fit for it； virgins that
are free； and born of good parents。 And he that does not marry a
virgin； let h