1. The Lord spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab. This was across from Jericho by the Jordan River. He said,
2. “Command the Israelites to give the Levites cities to live in. These will be cities in the land they receive. Also give the Levites the pastureland around these cities.
3. Then the Levites will have cities where they may live. And they will have pastureland for their cattle, sheep and other animals.
4. The pastureland you give the Levites will extend 1,500 feet from the city wall.
5. Also measure 3,000 feet in each direction from the city wall. Measure 3,000 feet east of the city. Measure 3,000 feet south of the city. Measure 3,000 feet west of the city. And measure 3,000 feet north of the city. The city will be in the center. This will be pastureland for the Levites’ cities.
6. “Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of safety. A person might accidentally kill someone. If he does, he may run to one of those cities for safety. You must also give 42 other cities to the Levites.
7. Give the Levites a total of 48 cities and their pastures.
8. The larger tribes of Israel must give more cities. The smaller tribes must give fewer cities. Each tribe must give some of its cities to the Levites. The number of cities they give will depend on the size of their land.”
9. Then the Lord said to Moses,
10. “Tell the Israelites these things: ‘You will cross the Jordan River and go into Canaan.
11. You must choose cities to be cities of safety. If a person accidentally kills someone, he may run to them for safety.
12. There he will be safe from the dead person’s relative who has the duty of punishing the killer. He will not die before he is judged in court.
13. The six cities you give will be cities of safety.
14. Give three cities east of the Jordan River. And give three cities in Canaan as cities of safety.