Simeon ben Shetah said, "The story about to tell is true, I swear. May I so live to see Zion rebuilt. I saw a man running after another into a deserted house in a field. And I ran after him, and saw a bloody sword in his hand from which blood was dripping, and the man whom he had pursued lay dead, still moving his hands and feet. Then I said to the murderer, 'You wicked man, who killed that person? It was either you or I. But what can I do? Your blood is not in my power, I cannot put you to death,

since I am the only witness. For the Torah says, if there are two witnesses to testify that a man has killed his neighbor, he shall be put to death (Deut. 17.6), but as I am the only witness, it is not possible to have you put to death on the testimony of myself alone. But the Lord, blessed be He, who knows the inner thoughts of man, let Him punish the one who has done this evil deed.' "

The sages say that Simeon ben Shetah had not left that place before a snake came and stung the murderer; and he fell dead on the very same spot. Now, my good people, see what this story teaches, that the Lord, blessed be He, never allows an injustice to be committed without punishing the evil doer.