of the month," and another witness
said, "the third of the month." Their witness stands. Because one knows of
the intercalary month, and another does not know of the intercalary month.
One said, "on the third," and another said, "on the fifth"; their witness
is worthless. One said, "at the second hour," and another said, "at the
third hour"; their witness stands. One said, "at the third," and another
said, "at the fifth"; their witness is worthless. R. Judah said, "it
stands." One said, "on the fifth," and another said, "on the seventh";
their witness is worthless, because at the fifth (hour) the sun is in the
east, and at the seventh hour the sun is in the west.

4. And afterward they introduce the second (witness) and examine him. If
both their statements agree, they open the case with clearing. One of the
witnesses says, "I possess information to clear him." Or one of the
disciples of the Sanhedrin says, "I possess information for condemning."
They order him to keep silence. One of the disciples of the Sanhedrin
says, "I possess information to clear him." They bring him up, and seat
him between the judges, and he did not go down during the whole day. If
there be substantial information, they give him a hearing. And even when
he (the accused) says, "I possess information for clearing myself," the
judges give him a hearing; only there must be substantial information in
his words.

5. If the judges found him clear, they released him, but if not they
deferred his judgment till the morrow. They conversed in pairs, and
reduced their eating, and they drank no wine all the day, and discussed
the matter the whole night. And on the morrow they came very early to the
judgment hall. He who was for clearing said, "I was for clearing, and I am
for clearing in my place." And he who was for condemning said, "I was for
condemning, and I am for condemning in my place." He who pronounced for
condemning, could pronounce for clearing, but he who pronounced for
clearing, could not turn round and pronounce for condemning. If the judges
erred in a matter, the two scribes of the judges recalled it to their
memory. If they found him clear, they released him: but if not, they stood
to be counted. "Twelve cleared him, and eleven condemned?" "He is clear."
"Twelve condemned him, and eleven cleared him, and even eleven cleared,
and eleven condemned," and one said, "I don't know." And even twenty-two
cleared or condemned, and one said, "I don't kn