Cities For The Levites
1 Jehovah spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. He said:
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
1 The Lord again spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:
1 The LORD told Moses in the wilderness of Moab, beside the Jordan River near Jericho,
2 Tell the Israelites to give the Levites some cities from their own property. They must also give the Levites the pastureland around those cities.
2 Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
2 “Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities.
2 “Command the Israelites to give cities out of their hereditary property for the Levites to live in and pastureland around the cities.(A)
2 "Instruct the Israelis to set aside a portion of their inheritance for the descendants of Levi to live in, along with grazing land surrounding their towns.
3 The Levites will have cities to live in and pastureland for their cattle, the flocks they own, and any other animals they have.
3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
3 The cities shall be theirs to live in; and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle and for their herds and for all their beasts.
3 The cities will be for them to live in, and their pasturelands will be for their herds, flocks, and all their other animals.
3 The towns are to be reserved for their dwelling places and the grazing lands are to be reserved for their cattle, livestock, and all their animals.
4 The land around the cities that you give the Levites will extend fifteen hundred feet from the city wall.
4 And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
4 “The pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city (a)outward a thousand cubits around.
4 The pasturelands of the cities you are to give the Levites will extend from the city wall 500 yards(a) on every side.
4 The grazing lands that you are to reserve for use by the descendants of Levi are to extend 1,000 cubits from the walls of the town.
5 Outside the city measure off three thousand feet on the east side, three thousand feet on the south side, three thousand feet on the west side, and three thousand feet on the north side, with the city in the center. This will be their pastureland around the city.
5 And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
5 You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities.
5 Measure 1,000 yards(b) outside the city for the east side, 1,000 yards(c) for the south side, 1,000 yards(d) for the west side, and 1,000 yards(e) for the north side, with the city in the center. This will belong to them as pasturelands for the cities.
5 You are to measure from outside the wall of the town on the east side 2,000 cubits, on the south side 2,000 cubits, on the west side 2,000 cubits, and on the north side 2,000 cubits, with the town placed at the center. This reserved area is to serve as grazing land for their towns.
Cities Of Safety
6 Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge. You must allow murderers to escape to these cities. In addition, you must also give the Levites forty-two other cities.
6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
6 The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the (B)six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.
6 “The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge,(B) which you must provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there; in addition to these, give 42 other cities.(C)
6 You are to set aside six towns of refuge from the towns that you will be giving to the descendants of Levi, where someone who kills a human being may run for shelter. In addition, give them 42 other towns.
7 You will give a total of forty-eight cities with pastureland to the Levites.
7 So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
7 All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be (C)forty-eight cities, (b)together with their pasture lands.
7 The total number of cities you give the Levites will be 48, along with their pasturelands.
7 The total number of towns that you are to give to the descendants of Levi is to be 48 towns, including grazing lands surrounding these towns.
8 The cities you give the Levites from the property of the other Israelites must be given based on the amount of land each tribe owns. Take more cities from larger tribes and fewer from smaller tribes.
8 And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
8 (D)As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits.”
8 Of the cities that you give from the Israelites’ territory, you should take more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one. Each tribe is to give some of its cities to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance it receives.”
8 You are to apportion the towns that you will be giving the Israelis according to the relative size of the tribe. Take a larger portion from those larger in number and a lesser portion from those fewer in number. Each is to set aside towns for the descendants of Levi proportional to the size of their inheritance that they receive."
Cities Of Refuge
10 Tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan,
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
10 “(E)Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
10 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
10 "Tell the Israelis that when they have crossed the Jordan River into the land of Canaan,
11 select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them.
11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
11 (F)then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your (G)cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has (c)killed any person (H)unintentionally may flee there.
11 designate cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.(D)
11 they are to designate some towns of refuge so that anyone who kills someone inadvertently may flee there.
12 These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community.
12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
12 (I)The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for (d)trial.
12 You will have the cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the one who kills someone will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.
12 They are to serve as cities of refuge from a blood avenger in order to keep the inadvertent killer from dying until he has stood trial in the presence of the community.
13 There will be six cities you select as places of refuge.
13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
13 The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge.
13 The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge.
13 You are to set aside six towns of refuge.
14 Three will be on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan.
14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
14 You (J)shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities (e)in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge.
14 Select three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan to be cities of refuge.
14 Appoint three towns this side of the Jordan River and three towns in the land of Canaan to serve as the towns of refuge,
15 These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities.
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.
15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who (f)kills a person (K)unintentionally may flee there.
15 These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or temporary resident among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.
15 that is, places of refuge for the Israelis, the resident alien, and any travelers among them. Anyone who kills a person inadvertently may flee there."
16 If any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.
16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
16 ‘(L)But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
16 “If anyone strikes a person with an iron object and death results, he is a murderer; the murderer must be put to death.
16 "Whoever uses an iron implement to kill someone is to be adjudged a murderer, and that murderer is certainly to be put to death.
17 If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.
17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17 If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer (M)shall surely be put to death.
17 If a man has in his hand a stone capable of causing death and strikes another person and he dies, the murderer must be put to death.
17 Furthermore, whoever uses a stone implement to kill someone is to be adjudged a murderer, and that murderer is certainly to be put to death.
18 And if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.
18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18 Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18 If a man has in his hand a wooden object capable of causing death and strikes another person and he dies, the murderer must be put to death.
18 Also, whoever uses a wooden implement to kill someone with it is to be adjudged a murderer, and that murderer is certainly to be put to death.
Laws About Murder And Accidental Killing
19 The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him.
19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
19 The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.
19 The avenger of blood himself is to kill the murderer; when he finds him, he is to kill him.
19 The blood avenger himself is to execute the murderer. When he meets him, the blood avenger is to put him to death.
20 If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him,
20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
20 (N)If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him (O)lying in wait and as a result he died,
20 Likewise, if anyone in hatred pushes a person or throws an object at him with malicious intent and he dies,
20 If the killer shoved his victim out of hatred, or hurled something at him while waiting in ambush so that he died,
21 or if you beat your enemy to death with your bare hands, you must be put to death. You are a murderer. The relative who can avenge the death must kill you when he catches up with you, because you are a murderer.
21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
21 or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood is to kill the murderer when he finds him.
21 or if he struck him with his hand out of hatred so that he died, then the killer is certainly to be put to death for murder. The avenger of blood is to put him to death when he meets him."
22 Should you accidentally kill someone who was not your enemy. Maybe you shoved him or threw something at him but did not mean to kill him.
22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
22 ‘(P)But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait,
22 “But if anyone suddenly pushes a person without hostility or throws any object at him without malicious intent
22 "But if he pushed him suddenly without hatred, or if he hurled something in his direction without waiting in ambush,
23 Or if you drop a big stone, and someone is killed. However, you did not know the person was there, he was not your enemy, and you were not trying to harm him.
23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
23 or with any (g)deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury,
23 or without looking drops a stone that could kill a person and he dies, but he was not his enemy and wasn’t trying to harm him,
23 or if he hit him with a stone carelessly so that he was fatally injured, though he isn't his enemy and he wasn't seeking to commit evil against him,
24 Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you are innocent or if the dead person's relative can avenge the death.
24 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
24 then (Q)the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.
24 the assembly is to judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.
24 then the community is to judge between the inadvertent killer and the blood avenger, following these ordinances.
25 If you are innocent, the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the chief priest who was anointed with the holy oil.
25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
25 The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.
25 The assembly is to protect the one who kills someone from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge he fled to, and he must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.(E)
25 The community is to release the inadvertent killer from the blood avenger and return him to the town of refuge where he had fled. He is to live there until the High Priest dies, who will have anointed him with holy oil.
26 But do not go outside the city of refuge you fled to.
26 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
26 But if the manslayer at any time goes beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee,
26 “If the one who kills someone ever goes outside the border of the city of refuge he fled to,
26 But if the inadvertent killer leaves the town of refuge where he had fled
27 If the relative who can avenge the death finds you outside the city of refuge and kills you, the relative is not guilty of murder.
27 And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
27 and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and the blood avenger kills the manslayer, he will not be guilty of blood
27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the border of his city of refuge and kills him, the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed,
27 and the blood avenger finds him outside the town of refuge where he had fled and kills him, the blood avenger is not to be found guilty of murder.
28 Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the chief priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death.
28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession.
28 for the one who killed a person was supposed to live in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may the one who has killed a person return to the land he possesses.
28 The inadvertent killer is to live in the town of refuge until the High Priest dies. After the death of the High Priest, the inadvertent killer is to return to the land of his inheritance.
29 These rules apply to you and your descendants wherever you may live.
29 So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
29 ‘These things shall be for a (R)statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
29 These instructions will be a statutory ordinance for you throughout your generations wherever you live.
29 These are to be the statutes and ordinances for you throughout all your generations, regardless of where you live."
30 Those accused of murder may be found guilty and put to death only on the evidence of two or more witnesses. The evidence of one witness is not sufficient to support an accusation of murder.
30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
30 ‘(S)If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the (h)evidence of witnesses, but (T)no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
30 “If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death based on the word of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of one witness.(F)
30 "Every murderer of a human being is to be executed only according to testimony given by multiple witnesses. A single witness is not to result in a death sentence.
31 Murderers must be put to death. They cannot escape this penalty by the payment of money.
31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
31 Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death.
31 You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of killing someone; he must be put to death.
31 You are to receive no ransom for the life of a killer who is guilty of murder; instead, he is to die.
32 If they have fled to a city of refuge, do not allow them to make a payment in order to return home before the death of the High Priest.
32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
32 You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land (i)before the death of the priest.
32 Neither should you accept a ransom for the person who flees to his city of refuge, allowing him to return and live in the land before the death of the high priest.(f)
32 You are not to receive payment of a ransom for someone who had fled to a town of refuge but then left to live in his homeland before the death of the high priest.
33 If you did this, you would defile the land where you are living. Murder defiles the land, and except by the death of the murderer there is no way to perform the ritual of purification for the land where someone has been murdered.
33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
33 (U)So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except (V)by the blood of him who shed it.
33 “Do not defile the land where you are,(g) for bloodshed defiles the land,(G) and there can be no atonement for the land because of the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the person who shed it.
33 You are not to pollute the land where you live, because blood defiles the land, and the land cannot atone for blood that has been spilled on it, except through the blood of the one who spilled it.
34 Do not defile the land where you are living! I am Jehovah and I live among the people of Israel.
34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
34 You shall not (W)defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which (X)I dwell; for I the Lord am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”
34 Do not make the land unclean where you live and where I reside; for I, Yahweh, reside among the Israelites.”
34 You are not to defile the land where you will be living, because I'm living among you. I am the LORD, who lives in Israel."