Deuteronomy 19:4-6

Expanded Bible

⁴ This is the rule for someone who kills another person and runs to one of these cities in order to save his life [Ex. 21:13–14; Num. 35:6–34; Josh. 20]. But the person must have killed a neighbor ·without meaning to [accidentally; unintentionally], not out of hatred. ⁵ For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood and swings an ax to cut down a tree. If the ax head ·flies [slips] off the handle, ·hitting and killing [^Lfinds] the neighbor, the one who killed him may run to one of these cities to save his life. ⁶ Otherwise, the ·dead person’s relative who has the duty of punishing a murderer [near-kinsman; ^Lavenger of blood] might be angry and chase him. If the city is far away, the relative might ·catch [^Lpursue and overtake] and kill the person, even though he should not be killed because there was no intent to kill his neighbor.