Numbers 35:19–27

^19*The dead person’s nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds him, he is to kill him.

^20*“If anyone hates someone and kills him by pushing him down or by throwing something at him ^21*or by striking him with his fist, he is guilty of murder and is to be put to death. The dead man’s nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds him, he is to kill him.

^22*“But suppose anyone accidentally kills someone he does not hate, whether by pushing him down or by throwing something at him. ^23*Or suppose that, without looking, anyone throws a stone that kills someone whom he did not intend to hurt and who was not his enemy. ^24*In such cases the community shall judge in favour of the one who caused the death and not in favour of the dead person’s relative who is seeking revenge. ^25*The community is to rescue the one guilty of manslaughter from the dead person’s relative, and they are to return him to the city of refuge to which he had escaped. He must live there until the death of the man who is then High Priest. ^26*If the one guilty of manslaughter leaves the city of refuge to which he has escaped ^27*and if the dead person’s relative finds him and kills him, this act of revenge is not murder.