13. Since the Lord was angry with the Israelites, he made them wander in the desert for 40 years until the whole generation of those who had done evil in the Lord’s presence was gone.
14. “You’re just like your parents! You’re a bunch of sinners trying to make the Lord angry with Israel again.
15. If you turn away from him, he will abandon all these people in the desert. You would be responsible for their destruction.”
16. Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben came up to Moses and said, “Allow us to build stone fences for our livestock and cities for our families here.
17. Then we’ll be ready ⌊to march⌋ in battle formation ahead of the other Israelites until we have brought them to their land. Meanwhile our families will live in walled cities, safe from the other people who live here.
18. We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his own land.
19. We won’t take possession of any land on the other side of the Jordan River, to the west and beyond. We already have our land here, east of the Jordan.”
20. Moses answered, “Do what you have said. In the Lord’s presence have all your armed men get ready for battle.
21. Have them cross the Jordan, and fight until the Lord forces out his enemies
22. and the land is conquered. Then you may come back. You will have fulfilled your military duty to the Lord and Israel. This land will be your own property in the Lord’s presence.
23. “If you don’t do all these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. You can be sure that you will be punished for your sin.
24. Build cities for your families and stone fences for your flocks, but do what you have promised.”
25. Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben said to Moses, “Sir, we will do as you command.
26. Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our other animals will stay here in the cities of Gilead.
27. But in the Lord’s presence we will all get ready for battle and go with you, as you have said.”
28. So Moses gave orders about them to the priest Eleazar, Joshua (son of Nun), and the family heads of the tribes of Israel.
29. Moses told them, “If the tribes of Gad and Reuben get ready for battle in the Lord’s presence and cross the Jordan River with you and you conquer the land, give them Gilead as their own property.
30. If they don’t get ready for battle and go with you, the land they will take possession of must be in Canaan with yours.”
31. The tribes of Gad and Reuben answered, “Sir, we will do as the Lord has said.