⁶ All the elders of the city nearest to the victim will wash their hands by the stream over the young cow whose neck has been broken. ⁷ They will declare, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood; our eyes did not see it. ⁸ Lord, forgive Your people Israel You redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.’ Then they will be absolved of responsibility for bloodshed.

⁵ “Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.”

⁴ “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”