1. The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned a lot of cattle and sheep, and they saw that the regions of Jazer and Gilead had good pasture land.
2. So they went to Moses, Eleazar, and the other leaders of Israel and said,
3-4. “The Lord has helped us capture the land around the towns of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon. That's good pasture land, and since we own cattle and sheep,
5. would you let us stay here east of the River Jordan and have this land as our own?”
6. Moses answered:You mean you'd stay here while the rest of the Israelites go into battle?
7. If you did that, it would discourage the others from crossing over into the land the Lord promised them.
8. This is exactly what happened when I sent your ancestors from Kadesh-Barnea to explore the land.
9. They went as far as Eshcol Valley, then returned and told the people that we should not enter it.