| 1 | Hear me O Divine Creator! |
| 2 | Direct my path be true. |
| 3 | As the oldest fathers of just knowledge, |
| 4 | Perverted not the judgments of ages. |
| 5 | The unity of the law may it help me, |
| 6 | In my testimony to its fair operation, |
| 7 | That those entrusted to its custody, |
| 8 | Demonstrate sound mind and reason. |
| 9 | The operation of the law be due process, |
| 10 | That as day follows night, |
| 11 | And sun follows rain, |
| 12 | The conduct of the law be certain. |
| 13 | No valid action in law proceeds without first a valid cause, |
| 14 | And no valid cause exists until such claim is first tested. |
| 15 | Thus the birth of all action in law must begin with the claim. |
| 16 | If a claim be not proven as a valid cause, |
| 17 | Then the accused has nothing to answer. |
| 18 | Yet if the claim be proved to have merit as a cause, |
| 19 | Then all causes must be resolved. |
| 20 | Thus, he who first brings the claim must first prove its merit. |
| 21 | The burden of the proof lies upon him who accuses, not he who denies. |
| 22 | A heavy obligation then on one who first brings the controversy. |
| 23 | For one who brings false accusation is the gravest of transgressors, |
| 24 | That it injures not one law, but all heaven and all law. |
| 25 | Thus, a valid claim in part is one in which two other witnesses petition with the accuser. |
| 26 | If merit of a cause be proved, the one accused must appear to answer. |
| 27 | The one accused and any witnesses appear by summons. |
| 28 | When anyone be summonsed, he must immediately appear without hesitation. |
| 29 | If a man summonsed does not appear or refuses to appear to answer, |
| 30 | Then let him be seized by force to come and attend. |
| 31 | When anyone who has been summonsed seeks to evade, or attempts to flee, |
| 32 | Let the one who summons lay hands on them to prevent their escape. |
| 33 | One who flees fair judgment confesses his culpability. |
| 34 | The accused cannot be judged until after the controversy and their defense is spoken. |
| 35 | If illness or old age hinder the appearance of the one summonsed, |
| 36 | Let the one who made the summons provide a basic means of transport. |
| 37 | When men wish to settle their dispute among themselves, |
| 38 | Then they shall have the right to make peace. |
| 39 | If a dispute cannot be settled before seeking a judge, |
| 40 | Then both the accused and the accuser must be granted equal hearing. |
| 41 | An accused cannot be found culpable unless three pieces of evidence may be attributed. |
| 42 | Judges are bound to explain the reason of their judgment. |
| 43 | The setting of the sun shall be the extreme limit of time within, |
| 44 | Which a judge must render his decision. |
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