Genesis 49:1-10 ▼

1 Jacob called for his sons and said, |Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in the future.

2 Assemble and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.

3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.

4 You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father's bed, then you defiled it--he got on my couch!

5 Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives!

6 O my soul, do not come into their council, do not be united to their assembly, my heart, for in their anger they have killed men, and for pleasure they have hamstrung oxen.

7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their fury, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel!

8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies, your father's sons will bow down before you.

9 You are a lion's cub, Judah, from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches and lies down like a lion; like a lioness--who will rouse him?

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; the nations will obey him.