"Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites. Here's what actually happened. When Israel came up from Egypt, they went through the wilderness to the Red Sea and came to Kadesh. They sent messengers to the king of Edom: 'Let us pass through your land.' Edom refused. They asked Moab. Same answer. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.
Then they went the long way around — through the wilderness, around Edom, around Moab — and camped east of Moab on the far side of the Arnon. They never crossed into Moabite territory. The Arnon was the boundary, and they respected it.
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon: 'Let us pass through your land to reach our destination.' But Sihon didn't trust Israel. He gathered his entire army at Jahaz and attacked.
And the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into Israel's hands. They defeated them and took possession of all the Amorite territory — from the Arnon to the Jabbok, from the wilderness to the Jordan.
So it was the Lord, the God of Israel, who drove out the Amorites for his people. And now you think you can just take it from us?
You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you. We will keep everything the Lord our God has given us.
Are you better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever challenge Israel? Did he ever go to war with us?
Israel has lived in Heshbon, Aroer, and all the cities along the Arnon for three hundred years. If this was really your land, why didn't you take it back in all that time?
I have not wronged you. You are wronging me by making war. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide today between Israel and Ammon."