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Early in the morning, Jesus taught the people in the temple courtyard. The crowd was calm until the scribes and Pharisees burst in, pushing a woman in front of them. Her face was pale, her eyes downcast.

— This woman was caught in adultery, — they said. — The Law of Moses commands that such women be stoned. What do You say?

It was a trap. If Jesus commanded execution — He would lose His mercy. If He forgave — He would be accused of violating the Law.

Jesus did not answer immediately. He bent down and began to write with His finger on the ground. The crowd murmured, demanding an answer. Then He stood up and said quietly:

— Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.

Silence fell. The elders lowered their eyes. Stones fell to the ground one by one. People began to disperse — first the most respected, then the others. Soon the woman was left alone.

— Where are your accusers? — Jesus asked.

— No one, Lord.

— Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more.

Moral: the marketplace, like that crowd, loves to judge after the fall. But he who does not throw stones at others and does not panic in the collapse, but thinks soberly and takes responsibility for his decisions, receives a second chance.