Genesis 49:1-21 ▼

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.

11 Binding his donkey to the vine and his mare's foal to its thick tendrils, he will wash his garments in wine and his robe in the juice of grapes.

12 His eyes are darker than wine and his teeth whiter than milk.|

13 |Zebulun will settle down near the sea shore and become a safe haven for shipping, bordering Sidon.|

14 |Issachar is a strong donkey, resting between sheepfolds.

15 He observed that his resting place was excellent, and that the land was pleasant; he bent down, picked up his burdens, and became a slave at forced labor.|

16 |Dan will judge his people as one of Israel's tribes.

17 Dan will be a snake on the path, a viper on the road that snaps at the heels of horses, causing their riders to fall off.

18 |LORD, I'm waiting for your salvation.|

19 |Bandits will raid Gad, but Gad will raid them back.|

20 |Asher's food will be delicious; he will be a provider of delicacies fit for royalty.|

21 |Naphtali is a free running deer who produces eloquent literature.|