Numbers 32:16-32

16Then they came near to him and said: “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones,

17but we ourselves will be armed, ready to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones will dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

18We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance.

19For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this eastern side of the Jordan.”

20Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the Lord for the war,

21and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies from before Him,

22and the land is subdued before the Lord, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the Lord and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord.

23But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.

24Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth.”

25And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying: “Your servants will do as my lord commands.

26Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock will be there in the cities of Gilead;

27but your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, just as my lord says.”

28So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel.

29And Moses said to them: “If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man armed for battle before the Lord, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as a possession.

30But if they do not cross over armed with you, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.”

31Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying: “As the Lord has said to your servants, so we will do.

32We will cross over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, but the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us on this side of the Jordan.”