8. As for the cities, you shall give from the possession of the Israelites, from the larger tribes you shall take many and from the smaller tribes few; each tribe shall give of its cities to the Levites in proportion to its inheritance.
9. And the Lord said to Moses,
10. Say to the Israelites, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
11. Then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the slayer who kills any person unintentionally and unawares may flee there.
12. And the cities shall be to you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he has had a fair trial before the congregation.
13. And of the cities which you give there shall be your six cities for refuge.
14. You shall give three cities on this [east] side of the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge.