Numbers 10 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Yahweh told Moses,

"Make two trumpets out of hammered silver. Use them for calling the community together and for signaling the camps to move out."

When both trumpets are blown, the entire community is to gather around you at the entrance of the meeting tent.

If only one trumpet is blown, just the leaders—the heads of Israel's tribal divisions—are to gather around you.

When you sound a blast, the camps on the east side are to move out.

When you sound a second blast, the camps on the south side are to move out. The blast is the signal for breaking camp.

But when you're assembling the community, blow a long, sustained note — not the staccato blast.

Aaron's sons, the priests, are the ones who blow the trumpets. This is a permanent rule for you and all your future generations.

When you go to war in your own land against an enemy attacking you, sound the staccato blast on the trumpets. Yahweh your God will take notice of you and rescue you from your enemies.

Also on your days of celebration, at your appointed festivals, and at the beginning of each month, blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your fellowship offerings. They'll serve as a reminder of you before your God. I am Yahweh your God.

On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle that housed the covenant agreement.

The Israelites set out on their journey from the Sinai wilderness, and the cloud settled in the Paran wilderness.

This was the first time they moved out following Yahweh's command through Moses.

The division under Judah's banner moved out first, unit by unit. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command of Judah's tribal unit.

Nethanel son of Zuar was in command of the tribal unit of Issachar.

And Eliab son of Helon was in command of the tribal unit of Zebulun.

Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites — who carried the tabernacle — moved out.

Next, the division under Reuben's banner moved out, unit by unit. Elizur son of Shedeur was in command of Reuben's tribal unit.

Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was in command of the tribal unit of Simeon.

And Eliasaph son of Deuel was in command of the tribal unit of Gad.

Then the Kohathites moved out, carrying the sacred objects. The tabernacle would be set up before they arrived.

Next, the division under Ephraim's banner moved out, unit by unit. Elishama son of Ammihud was in command of Ephraim's tribal unit.

Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was in command of the tribal unit of Manasseh.

And Abidan son of Gideoni was in command of the tribal unit of Benjamin.

Finally, the division under Dan's banner — serving as the rear guard for all the camps — moved out, unit by unit. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command of Dan's tribal unit.

Pagiel son of Ocran was in command of the tribal unit of Asher.

And Ahira son of Enan was in command of the tribal unit of Naphtali.

This was the marching order of the Israelite divisions as they moved out.

Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We're heading out to the place Yahweh promised when he said, 'I'll give it to you.' Come with us and we'll treat you well, because Yahweh has promised good things for Israel."

But Hobab replied, "No, I'm going back to my own land and my own people."

"Please don't leave us," Moses said. "You know where we should camp in the wilderness — you can be our eyes."

"If you come with us, whatever good Yahweh does for us, we'll share with you."

So they set out from Yahweh's mountain and traveled for three days, with the ark of Yahweh's covenant agreement going ahead of them during those three days to find them a place to rest.

Yahweh's cloud was over them by day whenever they set out from camp.

Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, "Rise up, Yahweh! Let your enemies scatter! Let those who hate you run from your presence!"

And whenever the ark came to rest, Moses would say, "Return, Yahweh, to the countless thousands of Israel."