Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Read the Bible
Contemporary English Version
Joshua 20:3
If a person accidentally kills someone and the victim's relatives say it was murder, they might try to take revenge. Anyone accused of murder can run to one of the Safe Towns and be safe from the victim's relatives. The one needing protection will stand at the entrance to the town gate and explain to the town leaders what happened. Then the leaders will bring that person in and provide a place to live in their town.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
so that a person who kills someone unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
so that a person who kills someone unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Hebrew Names Version
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
King James Version
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Lexham English Bible
Anyone who kills a person by accident or unintentionally may flee there; they will be for yourselves a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Anyone who kills a person by accident or unintentionally may flee there; they will be for yourselves a refuge from the avenger of blood.
English Standard Version
that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
New Century Version
If a person kills someone accidentally and without meaning to kill him, that person may go to a city of safety to hide. There the killer will be safe from the relative who has the duty of punishing a murderer.
If a person kills someone accidentally and without meaning to kill him, that person may go to a city of safety to hide. There the killer will be safe from the relative who has the duty of punishing a murderer.
New English Translation
Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.
Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.
Amplified Bible
so that the person (manslayer) who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall be your refuge from the blood avenger.
so that the person (manslayer) who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall be your refuge from the blood avenger.
New American Standard Bible
so that one who commits manslaughter by killing a person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
so that one who commits manslaughter by killing a person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Geneva Bible (1587)
That the slaier that killeth any person by ignorance, and vnwittingly, may flee thither, and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
That the slaier that killeth any person by ignorance, and vnwittingly, may flee thither, and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
Legacy Standard Bible
that the manslayer who strikes down any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become for you as a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who strikes down any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become for you as a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Complete Jewish Bible
so that anyone who kills someone by mistake and unknowingly may escape there; they will serve as refuges for you from the next-of-kin avenger.
so that anyone who kills someone by mistake and unknowingly may escape there; they will serve as refuges for you from the next-of-kin avenger.
Darby Translation
that the slayer who unwittingly without intent smiteth any one mortally may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the slayer who unwittingly without intent smiteth any one mortally may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Easy-to-Read Version
Anyone who kills someone accidentally can go to a city of safety to hide from the relatives who want to kill him.
Anyone who kills someone accidentally can go to a city of safety to hide from the relatives who want to kill him.
George Lamsa Translation
That the slayer who kills any person suddenly and unwittingly may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
That the slayer who kills any person suddenly and unwittingly may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Good News Translation
If any of you accidentally kills someone, you can go there and escape the one who is looking for revenge.
If any of you accidentally kills someone, you can go there and escape the one who is looking for revenge.
Literal Translation
that the manslayer who in innocence strikes anyone mortally, without knowing, may flee there. And they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who in innocence strikes anyone mortally, without knowing, may flee there. And they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
that a deedsleyer which sleyeth a soule vnawarres and vnwittingly, maye flye thither, yt they maye be fre amoge you from the avenger of bloude.
that a deedsleyer which sleyeth a soule vnawarres and vnwittingly, maye flye thither, yt they maye be fre amoge you from the avenger of bloude.
American Standard Version
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Bible in Basic English
So that any man who in error and without design has taken the life of another, may go in flight to them: and they will be safe places for you from him who has the right of punishment for blood.
So that any man who in error and without design has taken the life of another, may go in flight to them: and they will be safe places for you from him who has the right of punishment for blood.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
That the slear that kylleth any person vnwares and vnwyttyngly, may flee thyther: And those cities shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
That the slear that kylleth any person vnwares and vnwyttyngly, may flee thyther: And those cities shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
that the manslayer that killeth any person through error and unawares may flee thither; and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer that killeth any person through error and unawares may flee thither; and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
King James Version (1611)
That the slayer that killeth any person vnawares and vnwittingly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
That the slayer that killeth any person vnawares and vnwittingly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of blood.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Even a refuge to the slayer who has smitten a man unintentionally; and the cities shall be to you a refuge, and the slayer shall not be put to death by the avenger of blood, until he have stood before the congregation for judgement.
Even a refuge to the slayer who has smitten a man unintentionally; and the cities shall be to you a refuge, and the slayer shall not be put to death by the avenger of blood, until he have stood before the congregation for judgement.
English Revised Version
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Berean Standard Bible
so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
that whoeuer sleeth vnwytyngli a man, fle to tho citees;
that whoeuer sleeth vnwytyngli a man, fle to tho citees;
Young's Literal Translation
for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood.
for the fleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently, without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of blood.
Update Bible Version
that the manslayer that kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer that kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
Webster's Bible Translation
That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares [and] ignorantly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares [and] ignorantly, may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
World English Bible
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who kills any person unwittingly [and] unawares may flee there: and they shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
New King James Version
that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
New Living Translation
Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed.
Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed.
New Life Bible
So the man who kills any person without meaning to or planning to may run to one of these cities. They will be places where you can go to be safe from the one who wants to punish you for the killing.
So the man who kills any person without meaning to or planning to may run to one of these cities. They will be places where you can go to be safe from the one who wants to punish you for the killing.
New Revised Standard
so that anyone who kills a person without intent or by mistake may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
so that anyone who kills a person without intent or by mistake may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
that the manslayer who slayeth a person by mistake, unwittingly, may flee thither, - so shall they be unto you for refuge from the blood-redeemer,
that the manslayer who slayeth a person by mistake, unwittingly, may flee thither, - so shall they be unto you for refuge from the blood-redeemer,
Douay-Rheims Bible
That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them, and may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood.
That whosoever shall kill a person unawares may flee to them, and may escape the wrath of the kinsman, who is the avenger of blood.
Revised Standard Version
that the manslayer who kills any person without intent or unwittingly may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who kills any person without intent or unwittingly may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
Contextual Overview
1 One day the Lord told Joshua: 2 When Moses was still alive, I had him tell the Israelites about the Safe Towns. Now you tell them that it is time to set up these towns. 3If a person accidentally kills someone and the victim's relatives say it was murder, they might try to take revenge. Anyone accused of murder can run to one of the Safe Towns and be safe from the victim's relatives. The one needing protection will stand at the entrance to the town gate and explain to the town leaders what happened. Then the leaders will bring that person in and provide a place to live in their town. 5 One of the victim's relatives might come to the town, looking for revenge. But the town leaders must not simply hand over the person accused of murder. After all, the accused and the victim had been neighbors, not enemies. 6 The citizens of that Safe Town must come together and hold a trial. They may decide that the victim was killed accidentally and that the accused is not guilty of murder. Everyone found not guilty must still live in the Safe Town until the high priest dies. Then they can go back to their own towns and their homes that they had to leave behind.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: Numbers 35:12 - from the avenger Numbers 35:19 - General Numbers 35:22 - General 2 Samuel 14:11 - the revengers Hebrews 6:18 - who
Cross-References
Genesis 20:1
Abraham moved to the Southern Desert, where he settled between Kadesh and Shur. Later he went to Gerar, and while there
Abraham moved to the Southern Desert, where he settled between Kadesh and Shur. Later he went to Gerar, and while there
Genesis 20:7
Her husband is a prophet. Let her go back to him, and his prayers will save you from death. But if you don't return her, you and all your people will die.
Her husband is a prophet. Let her go back to him, and his prayers will save you from death. But if you don't return her, you and all your people will die.
Genesis 20:12
Besides, she is my half sister. We have the same father, but different mothers.
Besides, she is my half sister. We have the same father, but different mothers.
Genesis 20:13
When God made us leave my father's home and start wandering, I told her, "If you really love me, you will tell everyone that I am your brother."
When God made us leave my father's home and start wandering, I told her, "If you really love me, you will tell everyone that I am your brother."
Genesis 20:14
Abimelech gave Abraham some sheep, cattle, and slaves. He sent Sarah back
Abimelech gave Abraham some sheep, cattle, and slaves. He sent Sarah back
Genesis 20:15
and told Abraham that he could settle anywhere in his country.
and told Abraham that he could settle anywhere in his country.
Genesis 28:12
In a dream he saw a ladder that reached from earth to heaven, and God's angels were going up and down on it.
In a dream he saw a ladder that reached from earth to heaven, and God's angels were going up and down on it.
Genesis 31:24
But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, "Don't say a word to Jacob. Don't make a threat or a promise."
But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, "Don't say a word to Jacob. Don't make a threat or a promise."
Genesis 37:5
One day, Joseph told his brothers what he had dreamed, and they hated him even more.
One day, Joseph told his brothers what he had dreamed, and they hated him even more.
Genesis 37:9
Joseph later had another dream, and he told his brothers, "Listen to what else I dreamed. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me."
Joseph later had another dream, and he told his brothers, "Listen to what else I dreamed. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
That the slayer that killeth [any] person unawares, [and] unwittingly, may flee thither,.... Who through mere accident, and without design, killed a person, friend or foe, one of his own kindred, or a stranger, without any malice against him, or intention to take away his life:
and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood; from any of the relations of the deceased, who might be stirred up to avenge the blood of his kinsman on the slayer; see Numbers 35:12.
