1The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a large number of livestock. They saw that the regions of Jazer and Gilead were a good place for livestock. 2So they came to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and the leaders of the community, and said to them, 3"Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4the land that the LORD won for the community of Israel, is a good place for livestock. Gentlemen, we have livestock. 5Please give us this land as our property. Don't make us cross the Jordan River."

6Moses asked the tribes of Gad and Reuben, "Are you going to stay here while the rest of the Israelites go to war? 7That might discourage them from entering the land the LORD has given them. 8That's what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to take a look at the land. 9They went as far as the Eshcol Valley and saw the land. But then they discouraged the rest of the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them. 10That day the LORD became angry and swore this oath, 11'None of the people 20 years old or older, who came from Egypt, will see the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with an oath. This is because they didn't wholeheartedly follow me.' 12Only Caleb (son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite) and Joshua (son of Nun) will get to see the land. This is because they wholeheartedly followed the LORD. 13Since the LORD was angry with the Israelites, he made them wander in the desert for 40 years until the whole generation of those who had done evil in the LORD's presence was gone. 14"You're just like your parents! You're a bunch of sinners trying to make the LORD angry with Israel again. 15If you turn away from him, he will abandon all these people in the desert. You would be responsible for their destruction."

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?to march[ ahead quickly."> ahead 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."

28So Moses gave orders about them to the priest Eleazar, Joshua (son of Nun), and the family heads of the tribes of Israel. 29Moses told them, "If the tribes of Gad and Reuben get ready for battle in the LORD's presence and cross the Jordan River with you and you conquer the land, give them Gilead as their own property. 30If they don't get ready for battle and go with you, the land they will take possession of must be in Canaan with yours." 31The tribes of Gad and Reuben answered, "Sir, we will do as the LORD has said. 32We will enter Canaan as armed troops in the LORD's presence, but the land we will take possession of is here, east of the Jordan."

33So Moses gave the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, son of Joseph, the kingdoms of King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan-the whole land with its cities and its surrounding territory. 34The tribe of Gad rebuilt the cities of Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as walled cities. They also built stone fences for their flocks. 37The tribe of Reuben rebuilt the cities of Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38Nebo, Baal Meon (whose names were changed), and Sibmah. These are the names they gave the cities they rebuilt. 39The descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh, went to Gilead, captured it, and forced out the Amorites who were there. 40So Moses gave Gilead to the people of Machir (the descendants of Manasseh), and they lived there. 41Then Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured the settlements in Gilead. He called them Havvoth Jair [Settlements of Jair]. 42Nobah captured Kenath and its villages. He named it Nobah after himself.