Joshua read aloud every commandment Moses had given<n id="1" /> before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, children, and resident foreigners who lived among them.<n id="2" />p>

These were the cities of refuge<n id="1" /> appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by<n id="2" /> the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly.<n id="3" />p>

All the people,<n id="1" /> rulers,<n id="2" /> leaders, and judges were standing on either side of the ark, in front of the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the <sc>Lordsc>. Both resident foreigners and native Israelites were there.<n id="3" /> Half the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s servant had previously instructed to them to do for the formal blessing ceremony.<n id="4" />