Numbers 35:32-34

New Living Translation

³² And never accept a ransom payment from someone who has fled to a city of refuge, allowing a slayer to return to his property before the death of the high priest. ³³ This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.^{[a] 34} You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.”