9 The Lord told Moses
10 to say to the people of Israel: “When you cross the Jordan River and enter the land of Canaan,
11 you are to choose cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally.
12 There you will be safe from the dead person's relative who seeks revenge. No one accused of manslaughter is to be put to death without a public trial.
13 Choose six cities,
14 three east of the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan.
15 These will serve as cities of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners who are temporary or permanent residents. Anyone who kills someone accidentally can escape to one of them.