17. Then our families will be in strong, walled cities. They will be safe from the people who live in this land. Then we will prepare for war. We will help the other Israelites get their land.
18. We will not return home until every Israelite has received his land.
19. We won’t take any of the land west of the Jordan River. Our part of the land is east of the Jordan.”
20. So Moses told them, “You must do these things. You must go before the Lord into battle.
21. You must cross the Jordan River armed. The Lord will force out the enemy.
22. After the Lord helps us take the land, you may return home. You will have done your duty to the Lord and Israel. Then you may have this land as your own.
23. “But if you don’t do these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. And know for sure that you will be punished for your sin.
24. Build cities for your wives and children and pens for your animals. But then you must do what you promised.”
25. The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We are your servants. We will do what you, our master, command.
26. Our wives, children and all our cattle will stay in the cities of Gilead.
27. But we, your servants, will prepare for battle. We will go over and fight for the Lord, as you have said.”
28. So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest. And he gave them to Joshua son of Nun and the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
29. Moses said to them, “The Gadites and Reubenites will prepare for battle. They will cross the Jordan River with you. They will go before the Lord and help you take the land. If they do that, give them the land of Gilead for their own.
30. But if they do not go over armed, they will not receive it. Their land will be in Canaan with you.”
31. The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “We are your servants. We will do as the Lord said.
32. We will cross over into Canaan. We will go before the Lord ready for battle. But our land will be east of the Jordan River.”