¹³ “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest^(A) by giving you this land.’

²⁰ Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle^{(A) 21} and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before him^(B)— ²² then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return^(C) and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession^(D) before the Lord.^(E)

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.^{(F) 24} Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks,^(G) but do what you have promised.^(H)”

²⁵ The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We your servants will do as our lord commands.^{(I) 26} Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead.^{(J) 27} But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight^(K) before the Lord, just as our lord says.”

²⁸ Then Moses gave orders about them^(L) to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun^(M) and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes.^(N)

¹⁸ I commanded you at that time: “The Lord your God has given^(A) you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites.^{(B) 19} However, your wives,^(C) your children and your livestock^(D) (I know you have much livestock) may stay in the towns I have given you, ²⁰ until the Lord gives rest to your fellow Israelites as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you.”

Eastern Tribes Return Home

22 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh ² and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded,^(A) and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. ³ For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. ⁴ Now that the Lord your God has given them rest^(B) as he promised, return to your homes^(C) in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.^(D)