²⁰ Moses answered, “If you really mean what you say, then here in the presence of the Lord get ready to go into battle. ²¹ All your fighting men are to cross the Jordan and under the command of the Lord they are to attack our enemies until the Lord defeats them ²² and takes possession of the land. After that, you may return, because you will have fulfilled your obligation to the Lord and to the other Israelites. Then the Lord will acknowledge that this land east of the Jordan is yours. ²³ But if you do not keep your promise, I warn you that you will be sinning against the Lord. Make no mistake about it; you will be punished for your sin. ²⁴ So build your towns and the enclosures for your sheep, but do what you have promised!”

²⁵ The men of Gad and Reuben said, “Sir, we will do as you command. ²⁶ Our wives and children and our cattle and sheep will remain here in the towns of Gilead. ²⁷ But all of us are ready to go into battle under the Lord's command. We will cross the Jordan and fight, just as you have said.”

^28 (A)So Moses gave these commands to Eleazar, Joshua, and the other leaders of Israel: ²⁹ “If the men of Gad and Reuben cross the Jordan ready for battle at the Lord's command and if with their help you are able to conquer the land, then give them the land of Gilead as their property. ³⁰ But if they do not cross the Jordan and go into battle with you, they are to receive their share of the property in the land of Canaan, as you do.”

³¹ The men of Gad and Reuben answered, “Sir, we will do as the Lord has commanded. ³² Under his command we will cross into the land of Canaan and go into battle, so that we can retain our property here east of the Jordan.”

Testing and Tempting

¹² Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him. ^13 (A)If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, “This temptation comes from God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. ¹⁵ Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.