and they shall answerand say,'Our handsdid not shedthisblood,nordid our eyessee[it].
"The LORDhas returnedupon you allthe bloodshedof the houseof Saul,in whoseplaceyou have reigned;and the LORDhas giventhe kingdominto the handof your sonAbsalom.And behold,you are [taken] in your own evil,for you are a manof bloodshed!"
So you shall not pollutethe landin whichyou are; for bloodpollutesthe landand noexpiationcan be madefor the landfor the bloodthat is shedon it, exceptby the bloodof him who shedit.
"Allthe eldersof that citywhich is nearestto the slainmanshall washtheir handsoverthe heiferwhose neckwas brokenin the valley;
ForgiveYour peopleIsraelwhomYou have redeemed,O LORD,and do not placethe guiltof innocentbloodin the midstof Your peopleIsrael.'And the bloodguiltinessshall be forgiventhem.
