And all the responsible men of that town which is nearest to the dead man, washing their hands over the cow whose neck was broken in the valley,
May it come on the head of Joab and all his father's family: among the men of Joab's family may there ever be some who are diseased or lepers, or who do the work of women, or are put to the sword, or are wasted from need of food!
If I am washed with snow water, and make my hands clean with soap;
Who has full knowledge of his errors? make me clean from secret evil.
I will make my hands clean from sin; so will I go round your altar, O Lord;
Be my saviour from violent death, O God, the God of my salvation; and my tongue will give praise to your righteousness.
Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.
Make me free from sin with hyssop: let me be washed whiter than snow.
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
For even if you are washed with soda and take much soap, still your evil-doing is marked before me, says the Lord God.
Will say, This death is not the work of our hands and our eyes have not seen it.
Because they are only rules of the flesh, of meats and drinks and washings, which have their place till the time comes when things will be put right.