14. And behold," he said, "you have risen up in the place of your fathers, the offshoots and the nurslings of sinful men, in order to augment the fury of the Lord against Israel.
15. But if you are not willing to follow him, he will leave the people behind in the wilderness, and you will have been the cause of all our deaths."
16. But approaching closer, they said: "We will manufacture sheep pens and cattle stalls, as well as fortified cities, for our little ones.
17. But we ourselves will continue on, armed and girded for battle, before the sons of Israel, until we lead them to their places. Our little ones, and whatever we may be able to have, shall be in walled cities, because of the treachery of the inhabitants.
18. We will not return to our houses, even until the sons of Israel may possess their inheritance.
19. Neither will we seek anything across the Jordan, because we already have our possession on its eastern side."
20. And Moses said to them: "If you accomplish what you have promised, you may go out, equipped for battle, before the Lord.
21. And let every fighting man cross over the Jordan, until the Lord overthrows his enemies,
22. and all the land is subjected to him. Then you will be guiltless with the Lord and with Israel, and you will obtain the regions which you desire before the Lord.
23. But if you do not do what you have said, no one could doubt that you will have sinned against God. And know this: your sin shall overtake you.
24. Therefore, build cities for your little ones, and pens and stables for your sheep and cattle; and fulfill what you have promised."
25. And the sons of Gad and of Ruben said to Moses: "We are your servants, we shall do what you, our ruler, orders.
26. We will leave behind our little ones, and our wives, and the sheep and cattle, in the cities of Gilead.