“ You have heard that our ancestors were told,‘ You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

“你们听见有吩咐古人的话，说：‘不可杀人’；又说：‘凡杀人的难免受审判。’

“你们听过有对古人说：‘不可杀人’；‘凡杀人的，必须受审判。’

“你们听过有对古人说：‘不可杀人’；‘凡杀人的，必须受审判。’

“你们听过吩咐古人的话，‘不可杀人，杀人的要受审判。’

“你们听过有这样吩咐古人的话：‘不可杀人，杀人的必被判罪。’

“你们听过那吩咐古人的话：‘不可杀人。杀人的，当遭受审判。’

「你們聽見有吩咐古人的話，說：『不可殺人』；又說：『凡殺人的難免受審判。』

「你們聽過有對古人說：『不可殺人』；『凡殺人的，必須受審判。』

「你們聽過有對古人說：『不可殺人』；『凡殺人的，必須受審判。』

「你們聽過吩咐古人的話，『不可殺人，殺人的要受審判。』

“你們聽過有這樣吩咐古人的話：‘不可殺人，殺人的必被判罪。’

『你們曾聽見有話對古人說：「不可殺人；凡殺人的必須擔受判罰。」

「你們聽過那吩咐古人的話：『不可殺人。殺人的，當遭受審判。』

爾聞有語古人云、勿殺、殺則干乎鞫、

爾聞古者有言勿殺、殺則難免乎刑官、

爾聞有諭古人之言曰、勿殺人、殺人者當被審判、

爾已聞誡古人之言曰：「毋殺人、殺人者受判。」

“ You have heard that it was said to the people long ago,‘ You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

“ You have heard what was said to people who lived long ago. They were told,‘ Do not commit murder.( Exodus 20:13) Anyone who murders will be judged for it.’

“ You have heard that it was said to those of old,‘ You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

“ You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

“ You have heard that the ancients were told,‘ You shall not murder,’ and‘ Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’

“ You have heard that it was said to those of old,‘ You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’

Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

“ You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

“ You have heard that it was said to an older generation,‘ Do not murder,’ and‘ whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’

“ You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones,‘ You shall not murder;’ and‘ Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’

“ You must not murder.

“ You must not murder.

“ All murderers must be put to death, but only if evidence is presented by more than one witness. No one may be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.Also, you must never accept a ransom payment for the life of someone judged guilty of murder and subject to execution; murderers must always be put to death.And never accept a ransom payment from someone who has fled to a city of refuge, allowing a slayer to return to his property before the death of the high priest.This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.”

“ Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety.However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.

“ You have heard the law that says,‘ Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.

“ And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.

“ You have also heard that our ancestors were told,‘ You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

Then they must say,‘ Our hands did not shed this person’s blood, nor did we see it happen.O Lord, forgive your people Israel whom you have redeemed. Do not charge your people with the guilt of murdering an innocent person.’ Then they will be absolved of the guilt of this person’s blood.By following these instructions, you will do what is right in the Lord’s sight and will cleanse the guilt of murder from your community.

“ But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed.Or if someone with a stone in his hand strikes and kills another person, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.Or if someone strikes and kills another person with a wooden object, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.The victim’s nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death. When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death.So if someone hates another person and waits in ambush, then pushes him or throws something at him and he dies, it is murder.Or if someone hates another person and hits him with a fist and he dies, it is murder. In such cases, the avenger must put the murderer to death when they meet.

These cities will be places of protection from a dead person’s relatives who want to avenge the death. The slayer must not be put to death before being tried by the community.

“ You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury:‘ An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

“ You have heard the commandment that says,‘ You must not commit adultery.’

“ Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old.

“ And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood.Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.

Then she continued,“ There used to be a saying,‘ If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’

“ Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.

“ Do as he said,” the king replied.“ Kill him there beside the altar and bury him. This will remove the guilt of Joab’s senseless murders from me and from my father’s family.The Lord will repay him for the murders of two men who were more righteous and better than he. For my father knew nothing about the deaths of Abner son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and of Amasa son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah.