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are free； and born of good parents。 And he that does not marry a
virgin； let him not corrupt another man's wife； and marry her；
nor grieve her former husband。 Nor let free men marry slaves；
although their affections should strongly bias any of them so to
do； for it is decent； and for the dignity of the persons
themselves； to govern those their affections。 And further； no one
ought to marry a harlot； whose matrimonial oblations； arising
from the prostitution of her body； God will not receive； for by
these means the dispositions of the children will be liberal and
virtuous； I mean； when they are not born of base parents； and of
the lustful conjunction of such as marry women that are not free。
If any one has been espoused to a woman as to a virgin； and does
not afterward find her so to be； let him bring his action； and
accuse her； and let him make use of such indications （24） to
prove his accusation as he is furnished withal； and let the
father or the brother of the damsel； or some one that is after
them nearest of kin to her； defend her If the damsel obtain a
sentence in her favor； that she had not been guilty； let her live
with her husband that accused her； and let him not have any
further power at all to put her away； unless she give him very
great occasions of suspicion； and such as can be no way
contradicted。 But for him that brings an accusation and calumny
against his wife in an impudent and rash manner； let him be
punished by receiving forty stripes save one； and let him pay
fifty shekels to her father： but if the damsel be convicted； as
having been corrupted； and is one of the common people； let her
be stoned； because she did not preserve her virginity till she
were lawfully married； but if she were the daughter of a priest；
let her be burnt alive。 If any one has two wives； and if he
greatly respect and be kind to one of them； either out of his
affection to her； or for her beauty； or for some other reason；
while the other is of less esteem with him； and if the son of her
that is beloved be the younger by birth than another born of the
other wife； but endeavors to obtain the right of primogeniture
from his father's kindness to his mother； and would thereby
obtain a double portion of his father's substance； for that
double portion is what I have allotted him in the laws； … let not
this be permitted； for it is unjust that he who is the elder by
birth should be deprived of what is due to him； on the father's
disposition of his estate； because his mother was not equally
regarded by him。 He that hath corrupted a damsel espoused to
another man； in case he had her consent； let both him and her be
put to death； for they are both equally guilty； the man； because
he persuaded the woman willingly to submit to a most impure
action； and to prefer it to lawful wedlock； the woman； because
she was persuaded to yield herself to be corrupted； either for
pleasure or for gain。 However； if a man light on a woman when she
is alone； and forces her； where nobody was present to come to her
assistance； let him only be put to death。 Let him that hath
corrupted a virgin not yet espoused marry her； but if the father
of the damsel be not willing that she should be his wife； let him
pay fifty shekels as the price of her prostitution。 He that
desires to be divorced from his wife for any cause （25）
whatsoever； （and many such causes happen among men；） let him in
writing give assurance that he will never use her as his wife any
more； for by this means she may be at liberty to marry another
husband； although before this bill of divorce be given； she is
not to be permitted so to do： but if she be misused by him also；
or if； when he is dead； her first husband would marry her again；
it shall not be lawful for her to return to him。 If a woman's
husband die； and leave her without children； let his brother
marry her； and let him call the son that is born to him by his
brother's name； and educate him as the heir of his inheritance；
for this procedure will be for the benefit of the public； because
thereby families will not fail； and the estate will continue
among the kindred； and this will be for the solace of wives under
their affliction； that they are to be married to the next
relation of their former husbands。 But if the brother will not
marry her； let the woman come before the senate； and protest
openly that this brother will not admit her for his wife； but
will injure the memory of his deceased brother； while she is
willing to continue in the family； and to hear him children。 And
when the senate have inquired of him for what reason it is that
he is averse to this marriage； whether he gives a bad or a good
reason； the matter must come to this issue； That the woman shall
loose the sandals of the brother； and shall spit in his face； and
say； He deserves this reproachful treatment from her； as having
injured the memory of the deceased。 And then let him go away out
of the senate； and bear this reproach upon him all his life long；
and let her marry to whom she pleases； of such as seek her in
marriage。 But now； if any man take captive； either a virgin； or
one that hath been married； （26） and has a mind to marry her； let
him not be allowed to bring her to bed to him； or to live with
her as his wife； before she hath her head shaven； and hath put on
her mourning habit； and lamented her relations and friends that
were slain in the battle； that by this means she may give vent to
her sorrow for them； and after that may betake herself to
feasting and matrimony； for it is good for him that takes a
woman； in order to have children by her； to be complaisant to her
inclinations； and not merely to pursue his own pleasure； while he
hath no regard to what is agreeable to her。 But when thirty days
are past； as the time of mourning； for so many are sufficient to
prudent persons for lamenting the dearest friends； then let them
proceed to the marriage； but in case when he hath satisfied his
lust； he be too proud to retain her for his wife； let him not
have it in his power to make her a slave； but let her go away
whither she pleases； and have that privilege of a free woman。
24。 As to those young men that despise their parents； and do not
pay them honor； but offer them affronts； either because they are
ashamed of them or think themselves wiser than they； … in the
first place； let their parents admonish them in words； （for they
are by nature of authority sufficient for becoming their judges；）
and let them say thus to them： … That they cohabited together；
not for the sake of pleasure； nor for the augmentation of their
riches； by joining both their stocks together； but that they
might have children to take care of them in their old age； and
might by them have what they then should want。 And say further to
him； 〃That when thou wast born； we took thee up with gladness；
and gave God the greatest thanks for thee； and brought time up
with great care； and spared for nothing that appeared useful for
thy preservation； and for thy instruction in what was most
excellent。 And now； since it is reasonable to forgive the sins of
those that are young； let it suffice thee to have given so many