rsv Deuteronomy:19:4-10 SEEK
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This is the provision for the manslayer ,
who by fleeing there may save his life .
If any one kills his neighbor unintentionally without having been at enmity with him in time past --
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as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood ,
and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree ,
and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies--he may flee to one of these cities and save his life ;
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lest the avenger of blood in hot anger pursue the manslayer and overtake him ,
because the way is long ,
and wound him mortally ,
though the man did not deserve to die ,
since he was not at enmity with his neighbor in time past .
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Therefore I command you ,
You shall set apart three cities .
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And if the LORD your God enlarges your border ,
as he has sworn to your fathers ,
and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers --
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provided you are careful to keep all this commandment ,
which I command you this day ,
by loving the LORD your God and by walking ever in his ways--then you shall add three other cities to these three ,
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lest innocent blood be shed in your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance ,
and so the guilt of bloodshed be upon you .