21
or by striking him with your fist, you are guilty of murder and are to be put to death. The dead person's nearest relative has the responsibility for putting the murderer to death. When he finds you, he is to kill you.
22
"But suppose you accidentally kill someone you do not hate, whether by pushing him down or by throwing something at him.
23
Or suppose that, without looking, you throw a stone that kills someone whom you did not intend to hurt and who was not your enemy.
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In such cases the community shall judge in your favor and not in favor of the dead person's relative who is seeking revenge.
25
You are guilty only of manslaughter, and the community is to rescue you from the dead person's relative, and they are to return you to the city of refuge to which you had escaped. You must live there until the death of the man who is then High Priest.
26
If you leave the city of refuge to which you have escaped
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and if the dead person's relative finds you and kills you, this act of revenge is not murder.
28
Any of you guilty of manslaughter must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest, but after that you may return home.
29
These rules apply to you and your descendants wherever you may live.
30
"Those accused of murder may be found guilty and put to death only on the evidence of two or more witnesses; the evidence of one witness is not sufficient to support an accusation of murder.
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31
Murderers must be put to death. They cannot escape this penalty by the payment of money.