Deuteronomy 19:16-21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 If a hostile witness rises against someone to accuse that person of wrongdoing, 17 the two parties in the dispute shall appear in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and judges in office at that time,(A) 18 (B)and the judges must investigate it thoroughly. If the witness is a false witness and has falsely accused the other,(C) 19 you shall do to the false witness just as that false witness planned to do to the other. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. 20 The rest shall hear and be afraid, and never again do such an evil thing as this in your midst.(D) 21 Do not show pity. Life for life,[a] eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot!(E)
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- 19:21 Life for life…: this phrasing of the lex talionis may seem exaggerated, but the law itself is meant to ensure equity and proportional punishment; cf. note on Ex 21:22–25.
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