1. The Lord spoke to Moses:
2. Take just reparations for the Israelites from the Midianites. Afterward you will join your ancestors.
3. Moses spoke to the people: "Equip some of your men for battle so that they may go against Midian and execute the Lord’s just punishment against Midian.
4. You will send out for battle one thousand from each of the tribes of Israel."
5. From the thousands of Israel, one thousand from each tribe were selected. Twelve thousand were equipped for battle.