Common English Bible

Numbers 35:15-26 Common English Bible (CEB)

15. These six cities will be refuge for Israelites, immigrants, and temporary residents, as a place to flee for anyone who kills a person by accident.

16. But if someone strikes a person with an iron object and he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer must definitely be put to death.

17. If someone strikes another with a stone in hand that could cause death and he dies, he is a murderer. The murderer must definitely be put to death.

18. Or if someone strikes with a wood object in hand that could cause death, he is a murderer. The murderer must definitely be put to death.

19. The close relative responsible for the blood of the dead is the one who will put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he will execute him.

20. If in hatred someone hits another or throws something at him with premeditation, he will be put to death.

21. Or if in hostility someone strikes another with his hand and he dies, the one who struck is a murderer and he will be put to death. The close relative will put the murderer to death when he meets him.

22. But if suddenly and without hostility someone hits another or throws any object at him without premeditation,

23. or accidentally drops any stone on him that could cause death and he dies—even though they weren’t enemies and no evil was intended—

24. then the community must come to a verdict between the killer and the close relative in accordance with these case laws.

25. The community will protect the killer from the hand of the close relative and return him to the refuge city where he fled. He will live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with holy oil.

26. But if the killer ever goes outside the boundaries of the refuge city where he fled