Deuteronomy 19:6–12

⁶Lest ^dthe avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and ^†slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not ^†in time past. ⁷Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee. ^8eAnd if the Lord thy God ^eenlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and ^fgive thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers; ⁹If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; ^gthen shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three: ¹⁰That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee. ¹¹But ^hif any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him ^†mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities: ¹²Then 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.