Numbers 32:16–27

¹⁶Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben came up to Moses and said, “Allow us to build stone fences for our livestock and cities for our families here. ¹⁷Then we’ll be ready ⸤to march⸥ in battle formation^aahead of the other Israelites until we have brought them to their land. Meanwhile our families will live in walled cities, safe from the other people who live here. ¹⁸We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his own land. ¹⁹We won’t take possession of any land on the other side of the Jordan River, to the west and beyond. We already have our land here, east of the Jordan.” 

²⁰Moses answered, “Do what you have said. In the Lord’s presence have all your armed men get ready for battle. ²¹Have them cross the Jordan, and fight until the Lord forces out his enemies ²²and the land is conquered. Then you may come back. You will have fulfilled your military duty to the Lord and Israel. This land will be your own property in the Lord’s presence. 

²³“If you don’t do all these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. You can be sure that you will be punished for your sin. ²⁴Build cities for your families and stone fences for your flocks, but do what you have promised.” 

²⁵Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben said to Moses, “Sir, we will do as you command. ²⁶Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our other animals will stay here in the cities of Gilead. ²⁷But in the Lord’s presence we will all get ready for battle and go with you, as you have said.”