12 These cities will serve as a refuge for you from the blood avenger,+ so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.+

4 He must flee to one of these cities+ and stand at the entrance of the city gate+ and present his case in the hearing of the elders of that city. Then they must receive him into the city and give him a place and he will live with them. 5 If the avenger of blood chases after him, they should not surrender the manslayer into his hand, for he killed his fellow man accidentally* and he did not previously hate him.+