"Ifa slainperson is foundlyingin the open countryin the landwhichthe LORDyour Godgivesyou to possess,[and] it is not knownwhohas struckhim,
He said,"Whathave you done?The voiceof your brother'sbloodis cryingto Me from the ground.
You destroythose who speakfalsehood;The LORDabhorsthe manof bloodshedand deceit.
For He who requiresbloodremembersthem; He does not forgetthe cryof the afflicted.
A manwho is ladenwith the guilt of humanbloodWill be a fugitiveuntildeath;let noone supporthim.
For behold,the LORDis about to comeout from His placeTo punishthe inhabitantsof the earthfor their iniquity;And the earthwill revealher bloodshedAnd will nolongercoverher slain.
Whenthe nativessawthe creaturehangingfrom his hand,they [began] sayingto one another,"Undoubtedlythismanis a murderer,and though he has been savedfrom the sea,justicehas not allowedhim to live."
"So innocentbloodwill not be shedin the midstof your landwhichthe LORDyour Godgivesyou as an inheritance,and bloodguiltinessbe on you.
"Onlythe treeswhichyou knoware not fruittreesyou shall destroyand cutdown,that you may constructsiegeworksagainstthe citythat is makingwarwith you untilit falls.
then your eldersand your judgesshall goout and measure[the distance] to the citieswhichare aroundthe slainone.
"Then I commandedyou at that time,saying,The LORDyour Godhas givenyou thislandto possessit; allyou valiantmenshall crossoverarmedbeforeyour brothers,the sonsof Israel.
