Deuteronomy 20:2

As you move forward for battle, the priest ¹  will approach and say to the soldiers, ² 

When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.

"When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.

Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops.

When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops.

And when you are on the point of attacking, let the priest come forward and say to the people,

Before you engage in battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the troops,

"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.

As you move forward for battle, the priest ¹  will approach and say to the soldiers, ² 

¹ sn The reference to the priest suggests also the presence of the ark of the covenant, the visible sign of God’s presence. The whole setting is clearly that of “holy war” or “Yahweh war,” in which God himself takes initiative as the true commander of the forces of Israel (cf. Exod 14:14-18; 15:3-10; Deut 3:22; 7:18-24; 31:6, 8).

² tn Heb “and he will say to the people.” Cf. NIV, NCV, CEV “the army”; NRSV, NLT “the troops.”