1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 "First, avenge the sons of Israel from the Midianites, and then you shall be gathered to your people."
3 And immediately Moses said: "Arm the men among you for a battle, so that they may be able to fulfill the retribution of the Lord on the Midianites.
4 Let one thousand men be chosen from each tribe of Israel, who shall be sent to war."
5 And they gave one thousand from each tribe, that is, twelve thousand foot soldiers for battle.
6 And Moses sent them with Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest; also, he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.
7 And when they had fought against the Midianites and had prevailed, they killed all the men.