6. lest the avenger of blood pursue the manslayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and smite him mortally; whereas he was not worthy of death, since he hated him not previously.
7. Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thyself.
8. And if Jehovah thy God enlarge thy border, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers
9. (if thou keep all this commandment to do it, which I command thee this day, to love Jehovah thy God and to walk in his ways continually), then shalt thou add three cities more for thyself to these three,
10. that innocent blood be not shed in the midst of thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and blood come not upon thee.
11. But if a man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and he flee into one of these cities,
12. then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
13. Thine eye shall not spare him; and thou shalt put away innocent blood from Israel, that it may be well with thee.