18. With their royal sceptres,our leaders pointed outwhere to dig the well.The Israelites left the desert and camped near the town of Mattanah,
19. then at Nahaliel, and then at Bamoth.
20. Finally, they reached Moabite territory, where they camped near Mount Pisgah in a valley overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea.
21. The Israelites sent this message to King Sihon of the Amorites:
22. Please let us pass through your territory. We promise to stay away from your fields and vineyards, and we won't drink any water from your wells. As long as we're in your land, we won't get off the main road.
23. But Sihon refused to let Israel travel through his land. Instead, he called together his entire army and marched into the desert to attack Israel near the town of Jahaz.
24. Israel defeated them and took over the Amorite territory from the gorge of the River Arnon in the south to the gorge of the River Jabbok in the north. Beyond the Jabbok was the territory of the Ammonites, who were much stronger than Israel.
25. The Israelites settled in the Amorite towns, including the capital city of Heshbon with its surrounding villages.
26. King Sihon had ruled from Heshbon, after defeating the Moabites and taking over their land north of the Arnon gorge.
27. That's why the Amorites had written this poem about Heshbon:Come and rebuild Heshbon,King Sihon's capital city!
28. His armies marched outlike fiery flames,burning down the town of Arand destroying the hillsalong the River Arnon.
29. You Moabites are done for!Your god Chemoshdeserted your people;they were captured, taken awayby King Sihon the Amorite.
30. We completely defeated Moab.The towns of Heshbon and Dibon,of Nophah and Medebaare ruined and gone.
31. After the Israelites had settled in the Amorite territory,
32. Moses sent some men to explore the town of Jazer. Later, the Israelites captured the villages surrounding it and forced out the Amorites who lived there.
33. The Israelites headed towards the region of Bashan, where King Og ruled, and he led his entire army to Edrei to meet Israel in battle.
34. The Lord said to Moses, “Don't be afraid of Og. I will help you defeat him and his army, just as you did King Sihon who ruled in Heshbon. Og's territory will be yours.”