Deuteronomy Chapter 19

Cities of Refuge

                  ¹ “When the LORD cuts off the nations whose land he’s giving you and you settle in their towns and houses, ² set aside three towns, ³ build roads to them, and section the land into three parts so a person that’s killed someone can flee to them.

⁴ “This provision is for someone that kills another accidentally to flee to and live. ⁵ It’s for cases like when a couple friends go to the woods to cut wood. When one of them swings the axe to cut down a tree and the iron head comes off and kills the friend, the slayer can flee to one of these towns. ⁶ That way the avenger of blood can’t pursue in the heat of anger and take the slayer’s life. The slayer doesn’t deserve death because it didn’t happen because of hate. ⁷ So set aside three towns. [ ⁸ If the LORD enlarges your territory and gives you the land he promised your ancestors, ⁹ and you always love him and follow his ways, then add three more towns.] ¹⁰ That way you won’t become guilty of shedding innocent blood.                                   Deut 19:1-10           

                           ¹¹“But it’s another thing if one person hates another, lies in wait, commits murder, and flees to one of these towns. ¹² The elders back home are to get the slayer returned for the avenger of blood to execute. ¹³ Don’t show mercy. Purge from Israel the guilt for shedding innocent blood so things will go well for you.

                           ¹⁴“Don’t move a boundary marker that the ancestors have set.

Use of Witnesses

¹⁵ “A single witness can’t accuse somebody of a sin. It takes two or three witnesses to establish a matter. ¹⁶ If a malicious witness accuses someone, ¹⁷ both people will stand in the presence of the LORD, that is, in front of the priests and judges in office. ¹⁸ The judges will investigate thoroughly. If the witness has accused falsely, ¹⁹ do to him what he’d intended to do to the fellow citizen. That’s how you’re to purge sin from you. ²⁰ The rest of the people will show respect and not do such a sinful thing. ²¹ Don’t show mercy: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Deut 19:11-21