16. But they coming near, said: We will make sheepfolds, and stalls for our cattle, and strong cities for our children:
17. And we ourselves will go armed and ready for battle before the children of Israel, until we bring them in unto their places. Our little ones, and all we have, shall be in walled cities, for fear of the ambushes of the inhabitants.
18. We will not return into our houses until the children of Israel possess their inheritance:
19. Neither will we seek any thing beyond the Jordan, because we have already our possession on the east side thereof,
20. And Moses said to them: If you do what you promise, go on well appointed for war before the Lord:
21. And let every fighting man pass over the Jordan, until the Lord overthrow his enemies:
22. And all the land be brought under him, then shall you be blameless before the Lord and before Israel, and you shall obtain the countries that you desire, before the Lord.
23. But if you do not what you say, no man can doubt but you sin against God: and know ye, that your sin shall overtake you.
24. Build therefore cities for your children, and folds and stalls for your sheep and beasts, and accomplish what you have promised.
25. And the children of Gad and Ruben said to Moses: We are thy servants, we will do what my lord commandeth.
26. We will leave our children, and our wives and sheep and cattle, in the cities of Galaad:
27. And we thy servants all well appointed will march on to the war, as thou, my lord, speakest.
28. Moses therefore commanded Eleazar the priest, and Josue the son of Nun, and the princes of the families of all the tribes of Israel, and said to them: