The War Scroll

1 For it is a time of distress for Isra[el … ] a decree of war against all the nations. And the lot of God is in an everlasting redemption,

2 and destruction for every nation of wickedness. And all [ … ] of the war shall go and camp opposite the king of the Kittim, and opposite all the army of

3 Belial who are assembled with him, for the day [ … ] by the sword of God. [blank]

4 And the Chief Priest shall stand, and his brothers the p[riests ]and the Levites and all the men of the rule with him. And he shall read in their ears

5 the prayer for the appointed time of wa[r … the bo]ok of the rule for his time, with all the words of their thanksgivings. And he shall array there

6 all the battle-lines according to [ … ]. And the priest appointed for the time of vengeance shall walk about, by the authority of

7 all his brothers, and shall strengthen [ … ]. And he shall answer and say: Be strong and be courageous, and be sons of valour!

8 Do not fear, and do not [ … ]; and do not be alarmed, and do not be terrified before them, and do not

9 turn back; and do not [ … ]. For they are a congregation of wickedness, and all their deeds are in darkness,

10 and toward him is [their] long[ing … ] their refuges; and their might is like smoke that vanishes, and all the assembly of

11 their [mul]titude [ … ] shall not be found; and all the standing substance of their calamity shall swiftly wither.

12 [ … ] Be strong for the war of God, for this day is the day appointed for war.

13 [ … ] over all the na[tions … ] over all flesh. The God of Israel lifts up His hand in His wonder,

14 [ … ] all the spirits of wicke[dness … the mi]ghty ones of the gods gird themselves for war; and the rank[s of ]the h[o]ly ones

15 [ … ] for the day [ … ]

16 [ … ] (1QM 18,16) to remove [ … ]

17 (1QM 18,17) in the destructions ⟨in his destruction⟩ of dar[kness … ]

18 (1QM 18,18) [ … ]