1. The Reubenites and Gadites had a very large number of livestock. When they surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, they saw that the region was a good one for livestock.
2. So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community and said:
3. “The territory of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon,
4. which the Lord struck down before the community of Israel, is good land for livestock, and your servants own livestock.”
5. They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Don’t make us cross the Jordan.”
6. But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your brothers go to war while you stay here?
7. Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land the Lord has given them?
8. That’s what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.