Deuteronomy 21:1-9 - Unsolved Murders

¹ If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, and lieth in the fields, and not known who hath slain him: ² Then let thine elders and thy judges come forth and meet unto the cities that are round about the slain. ³ And let the elders of that city which is next unto the slain man, take a heifer that is not laboured with nor hath drawn in the yoke, ⁴ and let them bring her unto a valley where is neither earing nor sowing, and strike off her head there in the valley. ⁵ Then let the priests the sons of Levi come forth - for the LORD thy God hath chosen them to minister and to bless in the name of the LORD and therefore at their mouth shall all strife and plague be tried. ⁶ And all the elders of the city that is next to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the plain, ⁷ and shall answer and say, 'Our hands have not shed this blood neither have our eyes seen it. ⁸ Be merciful LORD unto thy people Israel which thou hast delivered and put not innocent blood unto thy people Israel: and the blood shall be forgiven them.' ⁹ And so shalt thou put innocent blood from thee, when thou shalt have done that which is right in the sight of the LORD.