Deuteronomy 19:7
5 If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life.
6 Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer in a rage, overtake him if the distance is great, and strike him dead though he did not deserve to die, since he did not intend any harm.
This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.
8 And if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land He promised them,
9 and if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you today, loving the LORD your God and walking in His ways at all times, then you are to add three more cities to these three.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- This is why I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.
- KJV
- Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
- WEB
- Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves.
- ASV
- Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt set apart three cities for thee.
- DARBY
- Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thyself.
- BLB
- Upon thus I command you, in saying, three cities you shall separate for yourself.
- ÅB
- Derfor befaler jeg deg og sier: Du skal skille ut tre byer.
- OTB
- Derfor instruerer jeg deg til å etablere tre byer for deg selv.
- B1930
- Derfor byder jeg dig og sier: Du skal skille ut tre byer.