⁸ When Joshua gave the army its orders,^[a] the seven priests carrying the seven rams’ horns before the Lord moved ahead and blew the horns as the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed behind. ⁹ Armed troops marched ahead of the priests blowing the horns, while the rear guard followed along behind the ark blowing rams’ horns. ¹⁰ Now Joshua had instructed the army,^[b] “Do not give a battle cry^[c] or raise your voices; say nothing^[d] until the day I tell you, ‘Give the battle cry.’^[e] Then give the battle cry!”^[f]