If men who are surrendered into the hands of judges to be punished for their wickedness humble themselves and straightway confess their iniquity
when they come before the scourges-their punishment is diminished, and with only slight afflictions they are released.
But if there are among them some who are wicked and stiff-necked, who refuse to confess, these are scourged, and in the end they confess
involuntarily after many torments. And since their sides are already covered with wounds, they gain no profit from this.
