Lest the
avenger of the blood pursue the
slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and
slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he
hated him not in time past.
Otherwise, the
avenger of blood might pursue the
manslayer in a
rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any
harm.