16. But they approached him and said: “We will only build sheepfolds here for our flocks and towns for our families;
17. but we ourselves will march as troops in the vanguard before the Israelites, until we have led them to their destination. Meanwhile our families will remain in the fortified towns because of the land’s inhabitants.
18. We will not return to our homes until all the Israelites have taken possession of their heritage.
19. But we will not claim any heritage with them across the Jordan and beyond, because we have received a heritage for ourselves on the eastern side of the Jordan.”
20. Moses said to them in reply: “If you do this—if you march as troops before the Lord into battle
21. and cross the Jordan in full force before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out of his way
22. and the land is subdued before the Lord, then you may return here, free from every obligation to the Lord and to Israel, and this land will be your possession before the Lord.
23. But if you do not do this, you will have sinned against the Lord, and you can be sure that the consequences of your sin will overtake you.