Numbers 35:1-8

New Catholic Bible

Chapter 35

The Levites’ Share. ¹ The Lord spoke to Moses in the plain of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, ² “Command the people of Israel to give cities to the Levites from the inheritance that they will possess. Also give the Levites pastures around the cities. ³ They are to have cities in which they can dwell as well as pastures for their cattle, their flocks, and all their other animals. ⁴ The pastures that you will give the Levites around the cities will extend one thousand cubits^[a] from the city wall.

⁵ “Outside of the city, measure two thousand cubits on the east side, two thousand cubits on the south side, two thousand cubits on the west side, and two thousand cubits on the north side, with the city in the middle. This will be the pastures for the city.

⁶ “Six of the cities that you give to the Levites will be established as cities of refuge to which a person who has killed another can flee. In addition, there are to be another forty-two cities. ⁷ In all you will give the Levites forty-eight cities along with their pastures. ⁸ The cities that you will give the Levites from the possession of Israel will be given according to the inheritance that they have inherited. Those who have more will give more and those who have less will give less.”