3 “The region of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Baal-meon—
4 the land which the Lord has laid low before the community of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.”
5 They continued, “If we find favor with you, let this land be given to your servants as their possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”
6 But Moses answered the Gadites and Reubenites: “Are your kindred, then, to go to war, while you remain here?
7 Why do you wish to discourage the Israelites from crossing to the land the Lord has given them?
8 That is just what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to reconnoiter the land.
9 They went up to the Wadi Eshcol and reconnoitered the land, then so discouraged the Israelites that they would not enter the land the Lord had given them.