¹⁶ They approached Moses and said, “First, allow us to build stone enclosures here for our sheep and fortified towns for our dependents. ¹⁷ Then we will be ready to go with the other Israelites into battle and lead the attack until we have settled them in the land that will be theirs. In the meantime, our dependents can live here in the fortified towns, safe from the people of this land. ¹⁸ We will not return to our homes until all the other Israelites have taken possession of the land assigned to them.