16 Then they came up to him and said, “We would like to build pensf here for our livestockg and cities for our women and children. 17 But we will arm ourselves for battlea and go ahead of the Israelitesh until we have brought them to their place.i Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.j 19 We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritancek has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”l

20 Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battlem 21 and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before himn—22 then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may returno and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possessionp before the Lord.q

23 “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.r 24 Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks,s but do what you have promised.t”