²⁰“ ‘What if a person makes evil plans against someone else? And what if that person pushes him so that he dies? Or what if that person throws something at him so that he dies? ²¹Or what if that person hits the other person with a fist so that the other dies? Then the person who does any of those things must be put to death. He is a murderer.

“ ‘The dead person’s nearest male relative should kill the murderer. When he meets him, he should kill him.

²²“ ‘But what if a person suddenly pushes someone else without being angry? Or what if that person throws something at him without meaning to? ²³Or what if that person does not see him and drops a stone on him that kills him? He was not the dead person’s enemy. He did not mean to harm him.

²⁴“ ‘Then the court must decide between the person who did the act and the nearest male relative of the one who was killed. Here are the rules the court must follow.

²⁵“ ‘The court must provide a safe place for the person who is charged with murder. It must keep him safe from those who want to kill him. The court must send him back to the city he ran to for safety. He must stay there until the high priest dies. The priest is the one who has been anointed with the holy oil.

²⁶“ ‘But suppose the one who has been charged with murder goes outside that city. ²⁷And suppose the dead person’s nearest male relative finds that one outside the city. Then the relative can kill the one who has been charged. The relative will not be guilty of murder.

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