The War Scroll

1 until all the appointed [ … ] is complete. The God of Israel has summoned a sword against all the nations, and among the holy ones of His people He shall do mightily.

2 [blank] [ … ] [blank]

3 All this rule they shall carry out [ … th]at, while they stand opposite the camps of the Kittim. And afterward the priests shall blow for them on the trumpets of

4 memorial, and the gates of w[ar] shall be opened, [and ]the skirmishers [shall go] out and stand in heads between the battle-lines. And the priests shall blow for them

5 a blast of array. And the heads [ … ] at the sound of the trumpets, until each takes his station. And they shall blow for them,

6 the priests, a second blast [ … to draw n]ear. And when they stand at the side of the battle-line of the Kittim, within casting range, each shall lift his hand with the weapon of

7 his war. And the six [ … the tru]mpets over the slain, a sharp, insistent note, to direct the battle. And the Levites and all the people with

8 the rams' horns shall soun[d ] [ … ] a great sound. And with the going out of the sound they shall begin their hand to bring down the slain of the Kittim. And all

9 the people shall fall silent from the sound of the shout, [and the priest]s shall keep sounding on the trumpets over the slain, and the battle is pressed against the Kittim.

10 [blank] [ … ] [blank]

11 And when [ … ] girds itself for the help of the sons of darkness, and the slain of the skirmishers begin to fall by the mysteries of God, and by them all who are appointed for the war are tested,

12 then the pri[e]sts shall blo[w ]on the tr[u]mpets of summoning, so that another battle-line may go out as a relief for the war; and they shall stand between the battle-lines.

13 And for those who draw nea[r in the ]war they shall blow for return. And the Chief Priest shall draw near and stand before the battle-line, and shall strengthen

14 their heart in [ … Go]d, and their hands in His war. [blank]

15 And he shall answer and say: [ … ] the hea[r]t of His people He tests in the crucible, and not [ … ] your slain; for of old you have heard

16 the mysteries of God [ … ]

17 [ … ]