(Mishnah): Monetary cases are finished on the same day, for Zechus or Chiyuv. Capital cases can be finished on the same day for Zechus, and on the next day for Chovah;

Therefore, we do not begin [capital cases] on Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov.

(Gemara - Beraisa): A witness may not give a reason for Zechus, and not for Chovah. What is the source for this?

Answer #1: We learn from "v'Ed Lo Ya'aneh b'Nefesh Lamus." (The verse really says "v'Ed Echad..."; we expound "Echad" below.)

Question: And what is the source that [the accused himself] may not give a reason for Chovah?

Answer: We learn from "Echad Lo Ya'aneh b'Nefesh Lamus."

Answer #2: (Reish Lakish): Sometimes [a witness] sees (fears that after the Nidon is convicted,) he [himself] will be Huzam (and killed. To evade this, he) will say anything so [the Nidon] will not [be sentenced to] die.

Question: What is the source that we need two consecutive days [for capital cases? The Gemara digresses, and returns to this question below.]

(R. Chizkiyah citing R. Achi citing R. Avahu): One may not [begin to] judge monetary cases on Erev Shabbos.

Question #1: Our Mishnah disagrees! "Therefore, we do not begin on Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov" (because we cannot convict on the same day in) capital cases. However, monetary cases we judge [on Erev Shabbos]!

Question #2 (R. Chiyah's Beraisa): We judge monetary cases on Erev Shabbos. We do not judge capital cases on Erev Shabbos!

Answer: This is the Halachah, and this is what we do in practice. (The Halachah is like our Mishnah and the Beraisa, that we do not begin capital cases on Erev Shabbos, but we may begin monetary cases. In practice, we forbid mid'Rabanan, like R. Avahu.)

Continuation of Question (e): We should [begin to] judge him on Erev Shabbos, finish his Din on Shabbos, and kill him on Motza'ei Shabbos!

Answer: If you say so, his Din is delayed.

Question (Reish Lakish): We should [begin to] judge him on Erev Shabbos, finish his Din on Shabbos, and kill him on Shabbos!

Avodah [of Korbanos] overrides Shabbos, and the Mitzvah of execution overrides it (Avodah), for it says "me'Im Mizbechi Tikachenu Lamus" (if a Kohen is Chayav Misah, and he is at the Mizbe'ach about to serve, we immediately remove him and execute him). Shabbos, which Avodah overrides, all the more so the Mitzvah of execution should override it (Shabbos)!

Answer (R. La citing R. Yanai): This [verse brought below] teaches that we do not judge on Shabbos;

What is the reason? It says here [about Shabbos] "b'Chol Moshvoseichem", and it says there [about Misas Beis Din] "v'Hayu Elu Lachem l'Chukas Mishpat l'Doroseichem b'Chol Moshvoseichem" - just like there it discusses in Beis Din, also here the verse discusses [not doing Melachah on Shabbos even] in Beis Din.