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.
10. The Lord became very angry.
11. And he said that no one who was twenty years or older when they left Egypt would enter the land he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not one of those people believed in the Lord's power,
12. except Caleb and Joshua. They remained faithful to the Lord,
13. but he was so angry with the others that he forced them to wander around in the desert forty years. By that time everyone who had sinned against him had died.
14. Now you people of Reuben and Gad are doing the same thing and making the Lord even angrier.
15. If you reject the Lord, he will once again abandon his people and leave them here in the desert. And you will be to blame!
16. The men from Reuben and Gad replied:Let us build places to keep our sheep and goats, and towns for our wives and children,
17. where they can stay and be safe. Then we'll prepare to fight and lead the other tribes into battle.
18. We will stay with them until they have settled in their own tribal lands.
19. The land on this side of the River Jordan will be ours, so we won't expect to receive any on the other side.
20. Moses said:You promised that you would be ready to fight for the Lord.
21. You also agreed to cross the Jordan and stay with the rest of the Israelites, until the Lord forces our enemies out of the land. If you do these things,
22. then after the Lord helps Israel capture the land, you can return to your own land. You will no longer have to stay with the others.