1
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess it, lying in the field, and it isn't known who has struck him;
2
then your Zakenim and your judges shall come forth, and they shall measure to the cities which are round about him who is slain:
3
and it shall be, that the city which is nearest to the slain man, even the Zakenim of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn't been worked with, and which has not drawn in the yoke;
4
and the Zakenim of that city shall bring down the heifer to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.
5
The Kohanim the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD your God has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and according to their word shall every controversy and every stroke be.
6
All the Zakenim of that city, who are nearest to the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;
7
and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
8
Forgive, the LORD, your people Yisra'el, whom you have redeemed, and don't allow innocent blood [to remain] in the midst of your people Yisra'el. The blood shall be forgiven them.