15. If you reject the Lord, he will once again abandon his people and leave them here in the desert. And you will be to blame!
16. The men from Reuben and Gad replied:Let us build places to keep our sheep and goats, and towns for our wives and children,
17. where they can stay and be safe. Then we'll prepare to fight and lead the other tribes into battle.
18. We will stay with them until they have settled in their own tribal lands.