11. ‘None of the people who came from Egypt and who are 20 years old or older will see this land. I promised it to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But these people have not followed me completely.
12. Only Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun followed the Lord completely.’
13. “The Lord was very angry with Israel. So he made them wander in the desert for 40 years. Finally all the people who had sinned against him had died.
14. And now you are acting just like your fathers! You sinful people are making the Lord even more angry with Israel.
15. If you quit following the Lord, it will add to their stay in the desert. So you will destroy all these people.”
16. But the Reubenites and Gadites came up to Moses. They said, “We will build pens for our animals. And we will build cities for our wives and children here.
17. Then our families will be in strong, walled cities. They will be safe from the people who live in this land. Then we will prepare for war. We will help the other Israelites get their land.
18. We will not return home until every Israelite has received his land.
19. We won’t take any of the land west of the Jordan River. Our part of the land is east of the Jordan.”
20. So Moses told them, “You must do these things. You must go before the Lord into battle.
21. You must cross the Jordan River armed. The Lord will force out the enemy.
22. After the Lord helps us take the land, you may return home. You will have done your duty to the Lord and Israel. Then you may have this land as your own.
23. “But if you don’t do these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. And know for sure that you will be punished for your sin.
24. Build cities for your wives and children and pens for your animals. But then you must do what you promised.”
25. The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We are your servants. We will do what you, our master, command.
26. Our wives, children and all our cattle will stay in the cities of Gilead.