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.