¹⁷ But we will arm ourselves for battle^[a] and go ahead of the Israelites^(A) until we have brought them to their place.^(B) Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land.

¹² The men of Reuben,^(A) Gad^(B) and the half-tribe of Manasseh^(C) crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites,^(D) as Moses had directed them.^{(E) 13} About forty thousand armed for battle^(F) crossed over^(G) before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.

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.”

²⁹ He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the Lord, then when the land is subdued before you,^(A) you must give them the land of Gilead as their possession.^{(B) 30} But if they do not cross over^(C) with you armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan.^(D)”

³¹ The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the Lord has said.^{(E) 32} We will cross over before the Lord into Canaan armed,^(F) but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan.^(G)”