^20:9These were the cities of refuge¹⁵ appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by¹⁶ the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly.¹⁷

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Footnotes

15 The Hebrew text reads simply “the cities.” The words “for refuge” are supplied for clarification.
16 Heb “and not die by the hand of.”
17 Heb “until he stands before the assembly.” The words “at least” are supplied for clarification.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and the aliens residing among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die at the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the assembly.

NLTNew Living Translation

These cities were set apart for all the Israelites as well as the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed another person could take refuge in one of these cities. In this way, they could escape being killed in revenge prior to standing trial before the local assembly.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

These were the cities designated for all the Israelites, and for the foreigners dwelling among them, for anyone that kills a person unintentionally to flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until there is a trial before the congregation.

KJV 1900King James Version

These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.

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