Every document which has a Cuthean witness on it is void, except for gittin and [documents of] emancipation of slaves. It once occurred that they brought before Rabban Gamliel in Kefar Usnai a get whose witnesses were Cutheans, and he validated [it].  All documents which are processed in gentile courts, although their signatories are gentiles, are valid, except for gittin and [documents of] emancipation of slaves. R' Shimon says: These are also valid; they were not mentioned [as being void], except when they were made by private individuals.

One who says: “Give this get to my wife” or “this document of emancipation to my slave” —- if he wants to retract in both of those [cases], he can retract; [these are] the words of R' Meir. The Sages, however, say: In [cases of] gittin, but not in [cases of documents of] emancipation of slaves, because [we] can benefit a person in his absence, but [we] cannot cause detriment to a person, except in his presence; for if he wants to refrain from supporting his slave, he is permitted, but to refrain from supporting his wife, he is not permitted. He said to them: But he is disqualifying his slave from [eating] terumah, just as he is disqualifying his wife! They said to him: [This is] because he is his possession.  If someone says: “Give this get to my wife” or “this document of emancipation to my slave,” and he dies, they shall not give [it] after [his] death.  [If one says:] “Give a hundred [zuz] to So-and-So,” and he dies, they shall give [it] after [his] death.