1. The tribes of Reuben and Gad had very large herds and flocks. They looked at the lands of Jazer and Gilead. They saw that those lands were just right for livestock.
2. So they came to Moses and the priest Eleazar. They also came to the leaders of the community. They said,
3. "We have seen the cities of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah and Heshbon. We've seen Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon.
4. All of them are in the land the Lord has brought under Israel's control. This land is just right for livestock. And we have livestock.
5. "We hope you are pleased with us," they continued. "If you are, please give us this land. Then it will belong to us. But don't make us go across the Jordan River."
6. Moses spoke to the people of Gad and Reuben. He said, "Should the rest of us go to war while you stay here?
7. The Lord has given the land of Canaan to the people of Israel. So why would you want to keep them from going over into it?
8. "That's what your fathers did. I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to check out the land.
9. They went up to the Valley of Eshcol and looked at the land. Then they talked the people of Israel out of entering the land the Lord had given them.