Common English Bible

Numbers 35:21-27 Common English Bible (CEB)

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

27. and the close relative finds him outside the boundary of his refuge city and kills him, he will not be responsible for his blood.