² When a man makes a vow to the Lord or swears an oath to put himself under an obligation, he must not break his word; he must do whatever he has promised.^(A)

¹² Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh,^{(A) 13} “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you when he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest, and he will give you this land.’^{(B) 14} Your wives, dependents, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But your best soldiers must cross over in battle formation^[a] ahead of your brothers and help them ¹⁵ until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they too possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. You may then return to the land of your inheritance^(C) and take possession of what Moses the Lord’s servant^(D) gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

¹⁶ They answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. ¹⁷ We will obey you, just as we obeyed Moses in everything. Certainly the Lord your God will be with you, as he was with Moses.^{(E) 18} Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words in all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!” ^(F)

¹² The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went in battle formation in front of the Israelites,^(A) as Moses had instructed them.