2. So the people from the tribes of Reuben and Gad came to Moses. They spoke to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the people.
3-4. They said, “We, your servants, have many cattle. And the land that the Lord let the people of Israel capture is good land for cattle. This land includes the area around Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sibmah, Nebo, and Beon.
5. If it pleases you, we would like this land to be given to us. Don’t take us to the other side of the Jordan River.”
6. Moses told the people from the tribes of Reuben and Gad, “Will you let your brothers go and fight while you settle here?
7. Why are you trying to discourage the Israelites? You will make them not want to cross the river and take the land that the Lord has given to them!
8. Your fathers did the same thing to me. In Kadesh Barnea I sent spies to look at the land.
9. These men went as far as Eshcol Valley. They saw the land, and they discouraged the Israelites. These men made the Israelites not want to go into the land that the Lord had given to them.
10. The Lord became very angry with the people. He made this promise:
11. ‘None of the people who came from Egypt and are 20 years old or older will be allowed to see this land. I made a promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I promised to give this land to these people, but they did not really follow me.
12. Only Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun really followed the Lord!’