Numbers 32:16-19

16The men of Reuben and Gad said to Moses, ‘Let us build strong houses here for our women and our children. We will also build places to keep our animals safe.

17Then we will be ready to join the other tribes and we will lead them to the battle. While we are fighting, our families will be safe here. The people who live in this land will not be able to hurt them.

18We will not return to our homes here until all the Israelite tribes receive their own part of the land.

19We will not receive any of the land on the other side of the Jordan River. Our part of the land will be here, on the east side of the river.’