19 Howbeit, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar besides the altar of the Lord our God.
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and spake unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 The Lord, the God of gods, the Lord, the God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in trespass against the Lord, (save thou us not this day,)
23 that we have built us an altar to turn away from following the Lord; or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meal offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings thereon, let the Lord himself require it;
24 and if we have not rather out of carefulness done this, and of purpose, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?
25 for the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no portion in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord.