1The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
2"Make two trumpets of silver. Make them of hammered work. You will use them to call the people together, and to tell the camps to set out."
3"When both trumpets are blown, all the people are to gather to you at the door of the tent of meeting."
4"If only one trumpet is blown, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, are to gather to you."
5"When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side are to set out."
6"When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side are to set out. An alarm is to be blown when they are to set out."
7"But when the people are to be gathered together, you are to blow the trumpets, but not sound an alarm."
8"The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This will be a law for you for ever, through all your generations."
9"When you go to war in your land against an enemy who troubles you, then you are to blow an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies."
10"Also on your days of gladness, and at your set feasts, and at the beginnings of your months, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They will be a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God."
11On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was lifted up from the tent of the testimony.
12So the children of Israel set out from the wilderness of Sinai, going on their journeys. The cloud came to rest in the wilderness of Paran.
13This was the first time they set out at the command of the LORD given through Moses.
14First went the flag of the camp of the children of Judah, army by army. Over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
15Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
16Over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
17Then the tent was taken down, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tent.
18Then the flag of the camp of Reuben set out, army by army. Over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
20Over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The others set up the tent before they arrived.
22Then the flag of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out, army by army. Over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
23Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
24Over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
25Then the flag of the camp of the children of Dan set out. They were the rear guard of all the camps, army by army. Over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
27Over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
28This was the order of march of the children of Israel, army by army, when they set out.
29Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are travelling to the place of which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will do you good, for the LORD has promised good things for Israel."
30But he said to him, "I will not go. I will go back to my own land and to my relatives."
31Then Moses said, "Please do not leave us. You know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes."
32"If you go with us, then whatever good the LORD does for us, we will do the same for you."
33So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and travelled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days, to look for a resting place for them.
34And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they set out from the camp.
35Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered. Let those who hate you run away from you."
36And when it rested, he said, "Return, LORD, to the many thousands of Israel."