5. “Short blasts on the trumpets will be the way to tell the people to move the camp. The first time you blow a short blast on the trumpets, the tribes camping on the east side of the Meeting Tent must begin to move.
6. The second time you blow a short blast on the trumpets, the tribes camping on the south side of the Meeting Tent will begin to move.
7. But if you want to gather the people together for a special meeting, blow the trumpets in a different way—blow a long steady blast on the trumpets.
8. Only Aaron’s sons, the priests, should blow the trumpets. This is a law for you that will continue forever, for generations to come.
9. “If you are fighting an enemy in your own land, blow loudly on the trumpets before you go to fight them. The Lord your God will hear you, and he will save you from your enemies.
10. Also blow these trumpets for your special meetings, New Moon celebrations, and all your happy times together. Blow the trumpets when you give your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. This will be a special way for your God to remember you. I command you to do this; I am the Lord your God.”
11. On the 20th day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt, the cloud rose from above the Tent of the Agreement.
12. So the Israelites began their journey. They left the desert of Sinai and traveled until the cloud stopped in the desert of Paran.
13. This was the first time the people moved their camp. They moved it the way the Lord commanded Moses.
14. The three divisions from Judah’s camp went first. They traveled under their flag. The first group was the tribe of Judah. Nahshon son of Amminadab was the commander of that group.
15. Next came the tribe of Issachar. Nethanel son of Zuar was the commander of that group.
16. And then came the tribe of Zebulun. Eliab son of Helon was the commander of that group.
17. Then the Holy Tent was taken down. And the men from the Gershon and the Merari families carried the Holy Tent. So the people from these families were next in line.
18. Then came the three divisions from Reuben’s camp. They traveled under their flag. The first group was the tribe of Reuben. Elizur son of Shedeur was the commander of that group.
19. Next came the tribe of Simeon. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was the commander of that group.
20. And then came the tribe of Gad. Eliasaph son of Deuel was the commander of that group.
21. Then came the Kohath family. They carried the holy things from inside the Holy Tent. These people came at this time so that the other people could set up the Holy Tent and make it ready at the new camp before these people arrived.
22. Next came the three groups from Ephraim’s camp. They traveled under their flag. The first group was the tribe of Ephraim. Elishama son of Ammihud was the commander of that group.