forced for her child, nor he to whom it is born, for his child. And the same is also incumbent on the heir of the father, if the father die. But if both parties wish to wean, by their mutual consent and agreement, then it shall be no crime for them to do so. If ye wish to engage a wet-nurse for your children, it is no crime in you when you pay what you have promised her, in reason.
Those of you who die and leave wives behind, let these wives wait four months and ten days by themselves; and when this prescribed time has expired then there is no crime for them to do that with themselves what they please. Nor is it any crime to you, if you make them an offer of marriage, or that ye keep it secret in your minds, but do not propose to them in secret, unless ye do speak with honest intentions; and resolve not on the marriage tie until the time fixed by the Book shall have expired.
It is no crime for you to divorce your women, ere you have yet touched them or settled upon them a settlement. But provide maintenance for them; the wealthy according to his power, and the one in straightened circumstances according to his ability, must provide for them in reason.
But if ye divorce your women, ere ye have touched them, but have already settled for them a marriage settlement, the half of what ye have settled ye may remit, or have remitted to you; forget not liberality between you.
