9. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
10. Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When ye have passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
11. Then ye shall appoint for you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, who killeth any person at unawares.
12. And they shall be to you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the man-slayer may not die, until he stands before the congregation in judgment.
13. And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge.
14. Ye shall give three cities on this side of Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
15. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
16. And if he shall smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17. And if he shall smite him by throwing a stone, by which he may die, and he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18. Or if he shall smite him with a hand-weapon of wood, with which he may die, and he shall die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
19. The avenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
20. But if he shall thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying in wait, that he die.
21. Or in enmity shall smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the avenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
22. But if he shall thrust him suddenly without enmity, or shall have cast upon him any thing without laying in wait,
23. Or with any stone, by which a man may die, seeing him not, and shall cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
24. Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments: