1. The Lord spoke to Joshua:
2. "Say to the Israelites, ‘Set up refuge cities for yourselves. I spoke to you about these through Moses.
3. Anyone who kills by striking down someone unintentionally or by mistake may flee there. These places will be a refuge for you from any member of the victim’s family seeking revenge.
4. The killer will flee to one of these cities, stand at the entrance of the city gate, and explain their situation to the elders of that city. The elders are to let the killer into the city and provide a place of refuge for the killer to live with them.