Letter 10: Severus accepts the Paltus proceedings but insists that Firminus receive a proper hearing before canonical sentence.

The proceedings in the Christ-loving and faithful city of Paltus concerning Firminus have reached me, and I have accepted them. That is probably why you wrote. Still, even when a man appears guilty, it is impossible to pass sentence before he has had a chance to defend himself and before his accusers have stood face to face with him, as Scripture requires. So the proper judgment is this: the man accused of sin should be sent here, together with the people who can actually convict him and confirm the proceedings against him. Then we can subject him to the canonical sentence in the right way. Your God-loving Reverence teaches others and knows the text: "You shall not kill the innocent and righteous, and you shall not acquit the guilty." Firminus must therefore be judged firmly, but not without a real hearing.

The transactions in the Christ-loving, believing city of the Paltians concerning Firminus have come to my notice, and I have agreed to them. Otherwise you would not have written, as may with most probability be inferred. It is however impossible to pass sentence upon a guilty man before he has had an opportunity of defence, having his accusers also face to face as is written. Therefore, as form requires, our judgment is that the man who has sinned be sent here, and the actual men who are able to convict him, and to confirm the transactions regarding him, so that in this way we may cause him to be subjected to canonical sentences. For it is written, as your love of God who teach others also knows, "The innocent and righteous thou shalt not slay, and thou shalt not acquit the wicked."