16. And they drew near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones;
17. but we ourselves will go with diligence armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the strong cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18. We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited each one his inheritance.
19. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side the Jordan, and further, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side the Jordan eastward.
20. And Moses said to them, If ye do this thing, if ye arm yourselves before Jehovah for war,
21. and all of you that are armed go over the Jordan before Jehovah, until he have dispossessed his enemies from before him,
22. and the land is subdued before Jehovah, and afterwards ye return, ye shall be guiltless toward Jehovah and toward Israel, and this land shall be your possession before Jehovah.
23. But if ye do not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah, and be sure your sin will find you out.
24. Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and folds for your flocks, and do that which has gone out of your mouth.
25. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commands.
26. Our little ones, our wives, our cattle, and all our beasts shall be there in the cities of Gilead;
27. but thy servants will pass over, every one armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord says.
28. So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29. And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben pass with you over the Jordan, every one armed for battle, before Jehovah, and the land be subdued before you, then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession;