Genesis 49:1-10 ▼

1 After this, Jacob called his sons together and told them, |Assemble yourselves around me so I can tell you all what is going to happen to you in the last days.

2 |Gather together and listen, you children of Jacob. Listen to your father Israel.|

3 |Reuben, you're my firstborn, my strength, and the first fruit of my vitality. You excel in rank and excel in power.

4 But you're as undisciplined as a roaring river, so eventually you won't succeed, because you got in your father's bed, defiled it, and then approached my couch.|

5 |Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are violent weapons.

6 I'll never join their council; I'll never enter their assembly. In their anger they committed murder and lamed cattle just for fun.

7 Their anger is cursed, because it is so fierce, as is their vehemence, because it is so cruel. I will separate them throughout Jacob's territory and disperse them throughout Israel.|

8 |Your brothers will praise you, Judah. Your hand will be at the throat of your enemies, and your father's children will bow down to you.

9 Judah is a lion cub. My son, you have gone up from the prey. Crouching like a lion, he lies down, Like a lioness, who would dare rouse him?

10 The scepter will never depart from Judah, nor a ruler's staff from between his feet, until the One comes, who owns them both, and to him will belong the allegiance of nations.