Numbers 35:9-21

9The Lord said to Moses,

10“Tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan,

11select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them.

12These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community.

13There will be six cities you select as places of refuge,

14three on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan.

15These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities.

16“But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.

17If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.

18Or if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.

19The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him.

20If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him,

21or if you beat your enemy to death with your bare hands, you must be put to death. You are a murderer. The relative who can avenge the death must kill you when he catches up with you, because you are a murderer.