Deuteronomy 21:6-8

New Catholic Bible

⁶ The elders of the town that is nearest to the body will wash their hands^[a] over the heifer whose throat had been slit in the valley, ⁷ and they will proclaim, “Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it shed. ⁸ Accept this atonement for your people Israel, O Lord, whom you have redeemed, and do not hold your people responsible for the shedding of innocent blood.” This shall atone for the bloodshed.