Deuteronomy 23:9-14

New International Reader's Version

Keep the Camp of the Soldiers Pure and “Clean”

⁹ There will be times when you are at war with your enemies. And your soldiers will be in camp. Then keep away from anything that isn’t pure and “clean.” ¹⁰ Suppose semen flows from the body of one of your soldiers during the night. Then that will make him “unclean.” He must go outside the camp and stay there. ¹¹ But as evening approaches, he must wash himself. When the sun goes down, he can return to the camp.

¹² Choose a place outside the camp where you can go to the toilet. ¹³ Keep a shovel among your tools. When you go to the toilet, dig a hole. Then cover up your waste. ¹⁴ The Lord your God walks around in your camp. He’s there to keep you safe. He’s also there to hand your enemies over to you. So your camp must be holy. Then he won’t see anything among you that is shameful. He won’t turn away from you.