Deuteronomy 21

¹If one be founde slaine in the lande, which the Lord thy God giueth thee to possesse it, lying in the field, and it is not knowe who hath slaine him,

²Then thine Elders and thy Iudges shall come forth, and measure vnto the cities that are round about him that is slayne.

³Aud let ye Elders of that citie, which is next vnto the slaine man, take out of the droue an heifer that hath not bene put to labour, nor hath drawen in the yoke.

⁴And let the Elders of that citie bring the heifer vnto a stonie valley, which is neyther eared nor sowen, and strike off the heifers necke there in the valley.

⁵Also the Priests the sonnes of Leui (whom the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister, and to blesse in the name of the Lord) shall come forth, and by their word shall all strife and plague be tried.

⁶And all the Elders of that citie that came neere to the slayne man, shall wash their hands ouer the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

⁷And shall testifie, and say, Our handes haue not shed this blood, neither haue our eies seene it.

⁸O Lord, be mercifull vnto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay no innocent blood to the charge of thy people Israel, and the blood shalbe forgiuen them.

⁹So shalt thou take away the cry of innocet blood from thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord.

¹⁰Whe thou shalt go to warre against thine enemies, and the Lord thy God shall deliuer them into thine hands, and thou shalt take the captiues,

¹¹And shalt see among the captiues a beautifull woman, and hast a desire vnto her, and wouldest take her to thy wife,