1. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2. “Avenge the children of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”
3. Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from amongst you for war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.
4. Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war.”
5. So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.