Deuteronomy 25:1-3

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

25 If there is a controversy between men, and they come into court and the judges decide between them, justifying the innocent and condemning the guilty,

² Then if the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall cause him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with a certain number of stripes according to his offense.

³ Forty stripes may be given him but not more, lest, if he should be beaten with many stripes, your brother should [be treated like a beast and] seem low and worthless to you.