Seven types of punishment come to the world on account of seven distinct sins: (1) [If] some tithe and some do not tithe, a famine of drought comes, [in which] some are hungry and some are satiated. [If] they decide not to tithe, a famine of confu-sion and of drought comes. [If they decide] not to separate challah, a famine of destruction comes. (2) Pestilence comes to the world on account of the executions stated in the Torah which were not given over to the court, (3) and on account of the pro-duce of the seventh [year]. (4) [The] sword comes to the world on account of delaying justice, on account of perverting justice, and on account of those who render Torah decisions counter to halachah.

(5) Savage beasts come to the world on account of vain oaths, (6) and on account of the desecration of the Name [of God]. (7) Exile comes to the world on account of those who worship idols, on account of illicit relations, on account of murder, and on account of the abandonment of the Land.  At four times pestilence is increased: (1) in the fourth [year], (2) in the sev-enth [year], (3) at the departure of the seventh [year], (4) and at the departure of Succos each year: in the fourth [year] be-cause of maaser ani of the third [year]; in the seventh [year] because of maaser ani of the sixth [year]; at the departure of the seventh [year] because of the produce of the seventh [year]; and at the departure of Succos each year because of stealing the gifts of the poor.