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select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them.
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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.
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There will be six cities you select as places of refuge,
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three on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan.
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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.
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"But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death.
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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.
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Or 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.
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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.
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If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him,
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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.