Deuteronomy 25:2-4

New International Reader's Version

² The guilty one might have done something that’s worthy of a beating. Then the judge will make them lie down and be beaten with a whip right there in court. The number of strokes should fit the crime. ³ But the judge must not give the guilty person more than 40 strokes. If more than that are used, you will have disrespected your Israelite neighbor.

⁴ Don’t stop an ox from eating while you use it to separate grain from straw.