New Revised Standard Version
The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, so that the slayer may not die until there is a trial before the congregation.

Contemporary English Version
If the victim's relatives think it was murder, they might try to take revenge. Anyone accused of murder can run to one of these Safe Towns for protection and not be killed before a trial is held.

New American Bible
These cities will serve you as places of asylum from the avenger of blood, so that a homicide will not be put to death until tried before the community.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the fugitive shall be in them, the kinsman of him that is slain may not have power to kill him, until he stand before the multitude, and his cause be judged.

And when the fugitive shall be in them, the kinsman of him that is slain may not have power to kill him, until he stand before the multitude, and his cause be judged.

from the avenger

Numbers 35:19,25-27 The kinsman of him that was slain, shall kill the murderer: as soon as he apprehendeth him, he shall kill him. . . .

Deuteronomy 19:6 Lest perhaps the next kinsman of him whose blood was shed, pushed on by his grief should pursue, and apprehend him, if the way be too long, and take away the life of him who is not guilty of death, because he is proved to have had no hatred before against him that was slain.

Joshua 20:3-6,9 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. . . .

2 Samuel 14:7 And behold the whole kindred rising against thy handmaid, saith: Deliver him that hath slain his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother, whom he slew, and that we may destroy the heir: and they seek to quench my spark which is left, and will leave my husband no name, nor remainder upon the earth.

until he stand

Numbers 35:24 And this be proved in the hearing of the people, and the cause be debated between him that struck, and the next of kin:

Deuteronomy 19:11,12 But if any man hating his neighbour, lie in wait for his life, and rise and strike him, and he die, and he flee to one of the cities aforesaid, . . .

Joshua 20:4-6 And when he shall flee to one of these cities: he shall stand before the gate of the city, and shall speak to the ancients of that city, such things as prove him innocent: and so shall they receive him, and give him a place to dwell in. . . .