"shall you set aside for yourself": and not for others (i.e., gentiles).

"in the midst of your land": and not in a border city.

"which the L-rd your G-d gives you to inherit": after you conquer and inherit it.

(Ibid. 3) "Prepare for yourself the way": Make stations leading into them.

"and divide in thirds the border of your land': They (the cities of refuge) are not to be (indiscriminately) scattered, but aligned (with other such cities) by threes.

"that the L-rd your G-d shall cause you to inherit": to include (the cities of refuge) across the Jordan (aligned) like two rows in a vineyard.