Midrasch zu Ijow 23:23

Our Rabbis taught: "He who becomes sick and is at the point of death, should be told to confess, for all those who were about to die had to confess. When a man goes to the market place, let him deem himself handed over into the custody of the officers [to be brought before court]. If he has a headache, let him deem himself fastened with a chain around his neck. If confined to his bed, let him deem himself brought upon the scaffold [to be punished]; for when one ascends the scaffold [to be punished], if he has prominent interceders, he is pardoned, but if not, then he is not pardoned; and these are man's interceders [before divine Judgment] — repentance and meritorious deeds. Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine plead against him and only one in favor of him he is saved; as it is written (Job 23, 23.) If there be now about him one single angel, as one defender out of a thousand to declare his uprightness for any man, then is He gracious unto him and saith, 'Deliver him from going down into his pit.'" Rabbi Eliezer, the son of R. Jose the Galilean, said: "Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine parts in that one angel are against him, and but one for him, he is still saved, for it is written Mailitz Echad (one defence) out of a thousand."