16. They came near to him, and said, "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones;

17. but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

18. We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have each inherited their inheritance.

19. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward; because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward."

20. Moses said to them, "If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,

21. and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before The LORD, until he has driven out his enemies from before him,

22. and the land is subdued before The LORD; then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless towards The LORD, and towards Israel; and this land shall be to you for a possession before The LORD.

23. "But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against The LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

24. Build cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth."

25. The children of GAD and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, "Your servants will do as my lord commands.

26. Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock, shall be there in the cities of Gilead;

27. but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord says."

28. So Moses commanded concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' households of the tribes of the children of Israel.

29. Moses said to them, "If the children of GAD and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man who is armed to battle, before The LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession;

30. but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan."

31. The children of GAD and the children of Reuben answered, saying, "As the LORD has said to your servants, so will we do.

32. We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan."

12. The children of Reuben, and the children of GAD, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke to them.

13. About forty thousand men, ready and armed for war passed over before the LORD to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the GADites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,

2. and said to them, "You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.

3. You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of the LORD your God.

4. Now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he spoke to them. Therefore now return and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.

5. Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

6. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents.

7. Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan; but to the other half gave Joshua among their brothers beyond the Jordan westward. Moreover when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them,

8. and spoke to them, saying, "Return with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with brass, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the plunder of your enemies with your brothers."