²⁰So Moses told them, “You must do these things. You must go before the Lord into battle ²¹and cross the Jordan River armed, until the Lord forces out the enemy. ²²After the Lord helps us take the land, you may return home. You will have done your duty to the Lord and Israel, and you may have this land as your own.

²³“But if you don’t do these things, you will be sinning against the Lord; know for sure that you will be punished for your sin. ²⁴Build cities for your children and pens for your animals, but then you must do what you promised.”

²⁵The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We are your servants, and we will do what you, our master, command. ²⁶Our children, wives, and all our cattle will stay in the cities of Gilead, ²⁷but we, your servants, will prepare for battle. We will go over and fight for the Lord, as you, our master, have said.”

²⁸So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the tribes of Israel. ²⁹Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites prepare for battle and cross the Jordan River with you, to go before the Lord and help you take the land, give them the land of Gilead for their own. ³⁰But if they do not go over armed, they will not receive it; their land will be in Canaan with you.”

³¹The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “We are your servants, and we will do as the Lord said. ³²We will cross over into Canaan and go before the Lord ready for battle. But our land will be east of the Jordan River.”

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