⁶ Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands^(A) over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, ⁷ and they shall declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done. ⁸ Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, Lord, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent person.” Then the bloodshed will be atoned for,^(B)

⁵ “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot^(A) among the people.”

⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”^(A)

¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,^(A) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent^(B) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream^(C) because of him.”