¹⁶ Then they came up to him and said, “We would like to build pens^(A) here for our livestock^(B) and cities for our women and children. ¹⁷ But we will arm ourselves for battle^[a] and go ahead of the Israelites^(C) until we have brought them to their place.^(D) Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. ¹⁸ We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.^{(E) 19} We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance^(F) has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”^(G)

²⁰ Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle^{(H) 21} and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before him^(I)— ²² then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return^(J) and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession^(K) before the Lord.^(L)

²³ “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.^{(M) 24} Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks,^(N) but do what you have promised.^(O)”

²⁵ The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We your servants will do as our lord commands.^{(P) 26} Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead.^{(Q) 27} But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight^(R) before the Lord, just as our lord says.”

²⁸ Then Moses gave orders about them^(S) to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun^(T) and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes.^{(U) 29} He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the Lord, then when the land is subdued before you,^(V) you must give them the land of Gilead as their possession.^{(W) 30} But if they do not cross over^(X) with you armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan.^(Y)”

³¹ The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the Lord has said.^{(Z) 32} We will cross over before the Lord into Canaan armed,^(AA) but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan.^(AB)”

¹² The men of Reuben,^(A) Gad^(B) and the half-tribe of Manasseh^(C) crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites,^(D) as Moses had directed them.^(E)

¹³ About forty thousand armed for battle^(A) crossed over^(B) before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.

Eastern Tribes Return Home

22 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh ² and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded,^(A) and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. ³ For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. ⁴ Now that the Lord your God has given them rest^(B) as he promised, return to your homes^(C) in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.^{(D) 5} But be very careful to keep the commandment^(E) and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord^(F) your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands,^(G) to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.^(H)”

⁶ Then Joshua blessed^(I) them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. ⁷ (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan,^(J) and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side^(K) of the Jordan along with their fellow Israelites.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them,^{(L) 8} saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock,^(M) with silver, gold, bronze and iron,^(N) and a great quantity of clothing—and divide^(O) the plunder^(P) from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.”