The Judges of Crimes

Those in custody, who despite the taxing of crushing pain, had not confessed and renounced their sin were brought before the judges for castigation, flaying and sentencing, after which was meted out the most horrendous punishments that could be arranged. The crimes here are of the worst sort: improper and irregular thoughts and dreams, failure to give due courtesy to the annointed and words that could be misconstrued. But, the most severe punishments of all were reserved for those who may have made plots, had read unseemly books or had commerce with those deemed after the fact as malevolent operatives. As these were the ones in greatest need of salvation, there could be no slacking off for torturers or for executioners. For, how else to make the guilt see the true way and turn aside from evil.