1 Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 ‘He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them. 5 ‘Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand. 6 ‘He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’ ” Joshua 20:1–6 (NASB95)

1 And the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Establish the cities for places of refuge that I spoke to you through Moses, 3 a place of refuge for the slayer who struck down a life unintentionally. And the cities will be for you a place of refuge, and the slayer will not be killed by the next of kin by blood until he might stand before the congregation for judgment.’ ” Joshua 20:1–3 (LES2)

I included this passage to illustrate the way the MT sometimes edits the more ancient LXX by rearranging the text and making additions and subtractions.

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Joshua 1:1–2 (NASB95)

1 And it happened after the death of Moses that the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, saying, 2 “Moses, my servant, has died. Now then, rise and cross over the Jordan, you and all these people, to the land that I am giving them. Joshua 1:1–2 (LES2)

3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. Joshua 1:3–4 (NASB95)

3 Every place you step with the soles of your feet I will give to you, the way I have said to Moses. 4 The wilderness and the Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River, and to the distant sea from the setting sun, these will be your borders. Joshua 1:3–4 (LES2)

The significant difference here is that the MT uses the perfect tense in verse 3 – “have given;” whereas the LXX uses the future tense – “will give.” To be fair, the perfect tense can be translated as a prophetic future tense. However, I believe the Masoretes wished to convey the idea that the land is Israel’s permanent possession, a chief tenet of Zionism. Other than that the passage basically agrees.

5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5–9 (NASB95)

5 No person will stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, in the same way I will also be with you. I will neither abandon you nor neglect you. 6 Be strong and manly! For you shall divide for this people the land that I promised to give to your ancestors. 7 Be strong, therefore, and manly, to protect and act as Moses my servant commanded you. You must not turn from the commands either to the right or to the left so that you might be together in everything that you do. 8 And the book of this law must not depart from your mouth. You should meditate on it day and night so that you will know how to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous, and he will make your ways prosperous, and then you will be perceptive. 9 Look, I have commanded you: be strong and manly. Do not be cowardly nor fear, because the Lord your God is with you everywhere you go.” Joshua 1:5–9 (LES2)

In verse 5, the MT says that God will not “fail or forsake” Joshua. The LXX says that he will not “abandon or disregard” him. In verse 6, the MT says, “Be strong and courageous.” The LXX says, “Be strong and manly.” I think this is another case where the LXX is more literal. 

In verse 6, in typical fashion, the MT pushes Israel’s right of eternal possession of the land by using the word “possession.” The LXX simply says that God will give it to them. 

In verse 7, the MT commands Joshua to “be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you,” but the LXX says, “to protect and act as Moses my servant commanded you.” The MT says this is to “have success,” but the LXX says, “that you might be together in everything you do,” stressing the importance of unity.

Verse 8 says for Joshua to meditate in the law so that, according to the MT, he can “do according to all that is written in it.” The LXX says that he may “know how to do.” Later in the verse, the MT says it is to make Joshua successful, but the LXX says it is to give him understanding. 

Verse 9 basically agrees.

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’ ” Joshua 1:10–11 (NASB95)

10 And Joshua commanded the scribes of the people, saying, 11 “Go into the middle of the camp of the people and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions because in three days you also will be crossing over this Jordan, entering to occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving to you.’ ” Joshua 1:10–11 (LES2)

12 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ 14 “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, 15 until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:12–15 (NASB95)

12 And to Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you rest, and he has given you this land. 14 Let your wives and your children and your livestock dwell in the land that he has given you. But you will cross over the river fully armed for your brothers, every strong man. And so you will be allies with them 15 until the Lord our God gives rest to your brothers as also to you and they also receive a share of the land that the Lord your God is giving to them. And then you will depart, each one to his inheritance that Moses has given you in the area beyond the Jordan at the east.’ ” Joshua 1:12–15 (LES2)

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:16–18 (NASB95)

16 And answering Joshua, they said, “Everything, as much as you command to us, we will do, and every place where you send us, we will go. 17 In everything, as much as we obeyed Moses, we will obey you; only may the Lord our God be with you in the way he was with Moses. 18 However, the person who should disobey you and whoever will not listen to your words as you might command him, he must die. But be strong and manly.” Joshua 1:16–18 (LES2)

1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Genesis 19:1–3 (NASB95)

1 The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot was seated beside the gate of Sodom. When he saw them, Lot rose up to meet them and bowed with his face to the earth, 2 and he said, “Look, lords, turn aside to the house of your servant and lodge there and wash your feet, and when you rise early, you can depart to your journey.” They said, “No, rather we will lodge in the street.” 3 And he pressured them, and they turned aside to him and entered into his house. And he made them a drink and baked them unleavened loaves, and they ate before they fell asleep. Genesis 19:1–3 (LES2)

The passage generally agrees, but there are some apparent differences and one omission. 

In verse two, the MT’s “square” and the LXX’s “street” mean essentially “open place.” The MT’s “feast” and the LXX’s “drink” can both mean feast. 

The omission is that the MT leaves out that the angels went to sleep after their meal.

4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 “Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” Genesis 19:4–8 (NASB95)

4 And the men of the city, the Sodomites, surrounded the house, young and old, the whole people together, 5 and they kept calling Lot and saying to him, “Where are the men who came in with you tonight? Bring them out to us, so we can be with them.” 6 Lot came out to them, and he closed the door after him. 7 He said to them, “No way, brothers, don’t act wickedly. 8 I have two daughters who have not known a man. I will bring them out to you, and you may use them as you want. Only don’t do anything unfair to these men, because they entered under the roof of my beams.” Genesis 19:4–8 (LES2) 

9 But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. Genesis 19:9–11 (NASB95) 

9 They said, “Step aside from there. You came here to dwell; did you come also to pass judgment? Now, then, we will hurt you more than them.” And they kept pressuring the man, Lot, very much, and they approached to break through the door. 10 But the men, stretched out their hands and pulled Lot to themselves, back into the house, and they closed the door of the house. 11 They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness, both great and small, and they were paralyzed as they were looking for the door. Genesis 19:9–11 (LES2)

16 Upon rising from there, the men looked down on the face of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham was going along with them, accompanying them. 17 The Lord said, “Will I hide what I am doing from Abraham, my servant? 18 Abraham will become a great and numerous nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him. 19 For I know that he will appoint his sons and his household after himself, and they will keep the ways of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham all the things that he said over him.” 20 The Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah has increased, and their sins are very great. 21 Therefore, I will go down and see if they are coming to an end according to their crying that is coming to me, and if not, so that I may know.” Genesis 18:16–21 (LES2)

16 Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. 17 The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? 19 “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” 20 And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 “I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” Genesis 18:16–21 (NASB95)

Everything basically agrees until we get to verse 19. 

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. 23 Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” Genesis 18:22–25 (NASB95)

22 And, after turning back from there, the men came to Sodom, and Abraham was standing before the Lord. 23 And after approaching, Abraham said, “Will you destroy the righteous with the ungodly, and will the righteous be treated like the ungodly? 24 If there are fifty righteous in the city, will you destroy them? Will you leave the place unpunished on account of the fifty righteous, if they are in it? 25 No way shall you act according to this plan, to kill a righteous person with an ungodly one, so the righteous person will be like the ungodly, no way! Will the one who judges all the earth not do justice?” Genesis 18:22–25 (LES2)

26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” 27 And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. 28 “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” 30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” 32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” 33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place. Genesis 18:26–33 (NASB95)

26 The Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the entire place because of them.” 27 And, replying, Abraham said, “Now I have begun to talk to the Lord, but I am earth and ashes. 28 If the fifty righteous are decreased by five, would you destroy the whole city on account of the five?” And he said, “I will certainly not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 And he continued, still talking to him, and said, “If forty are found there?” And he said, “I will certainly not destroy it on account of the forty.” 30 And he said, “Is it anything, Lord, if I speak? If thirty are found there?” And he said, “I will certainly not destroy it if thirty are found there.” 31 And he said, “Since I am able to talk to the Lord, if twenty are found there?” And he said, “I will certainly not destroy on account of the twenty.” 32 And he said, “Is it anything, Lord, if I may speak yet once more? If ten are found there?” And he said, “I will certainly not destroy on account of the ten.” 33 And the Lord departed when he finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. Genesis 18:26–33 (LES2)