³³ So they set out^(A) from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord^(B) went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest.^{(C) 34} The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.^(D)

³⁵ Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,

³⁶ Whenever it came to rest, he said,

³ giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant^(A) of the Lord your God, and the Levitical^(B) priests^(C) carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits^[a](D) between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

⁵ Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves,^(E) for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things^(F) among you.”

⁶ Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.