I will certainly hold someone accountable if you are murdered. I will even hold animals accountable if they kill you. I will also hold anyone accountable who murders another person.“ Anyone who murders a human being will be killed by a human being. That is because I have made human beings so that they are like me.
But suppose a man hates his neighbor. So he hides and waits for him. Then he attacks him and kills him. And he runs to one of those cities for safety.If he does, the elders of his own town must send for him. He must be brought back from the city. He must be handed over to the dead man’s nearest male relative. Then the relative will kill him.
“ Anyone who hits and kills someone else must be put to death.Suppose they did not do it on purpose. Suppose I let it happen. Then they can escape to a place I will choose.But suppose they kill someone on purpose. Then take them away from my altar and put them to death.
“‘ Suppose a person kills someone. Then that person must be put to death as a murderer. But do it only when there are witnesses who can tell what happened. Do not put anyone to death if only one witness tells what happened.“‘ Do not accept payment for a murderer’s life. A murderer deserves to die. They must certainly be put to death.