Deuteronomy 21:1–9

¹If one be found slain in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath smitten him, ²then thine elders and thy judges shall go forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain; ³and the city that is nearest unto him that is slain, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer that hath not been wrought with, that hath not drawn in the yoke; ⁴and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto an ever-flowing watercourse, which is not tilled, nor is it sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the watercourse; ⁵and the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them Jehovah thy God hath chosen to do service unto him, and to bless in the name of Jehovah; and according to their word shall be every controversy and every stroke. ⁶And all the elders of that city, that are nearest unto him that is slain, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck is broken in the watercourse, ⁷and shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. ⁸Forgive thy people Israel, whom thou, Jehovah, hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood to the charge of thy people Israel; and the blood shall be expiated for them. ⁹So shalt thou put away innocent blood from thy midst, when thou shalt do what is right in the eyes of Jehovah.