examination of witnesses (24), and be guarded in thy words, lest
through them they learn to lie."

(24) It is related that the son of Simeon b. Shatach was
innocently condemned to death, because the witnesses were not
carefully cross-questioned.

10. Shemaiah and Abtalion (25) received (the tradition) from them.
Shemaiah said, "Love work; hate lordship (26); and seek no intimacy
with the ruling power" (27).

(25) Lived about the middle of the first century B.C.E.

(26) "Woe to leadership, for it buries those who possess it."
(_Pesachim_, 87b).

(27) That is, Rome. Avoid office seeking.

11. Abtalion said, "Ye sages, be heedful of your words, lest ye incur
the penalty of exile and be exiled to a place of evil waters, and the
disciples who come after you drink thereof and die, and the Heavenly
Name be profaned" (28).

(28) Scholars must be careful in their teachings, lest their
disciples misinterpret their words, and thus adopt false
doctrines, as was the case with the disciples of Antigonus of
Soko (_Supra_, n. 12). "Evil waters" may stand for evil
doctrines or evil people. When a teacher went into
banishment, he was usually followed by his disciples.
Departure from the law is equivalent to death.