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Genesis 49

And Jacob called his sons and said: Gather round, and I'll tell you what will happen to you in the days to come. Gather round and listen, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel your father. Reuben, you're my firstborn, my might, the first of my strength — first in dignity and first in power. Unsteady as water, you won't come first. Because y

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The blessing of the sons

And Jacob called his sons and said: Gather round, and I'll tell you what will happen to you in the days to come. Gather round and listen, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel your father. Reuben, you're my firstborn, my might, the first of my strength — first in dignity and first in power. Unsteady as water, you won't come first. Because you went up to your father's bed and defiled it. He went up onto my couch. Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of cruelty. My soul, keep out of their counsel. My honour, don't be joined to their gathering. Because in their anger they killed a man, and in their own will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their fury, for it was cruel. I'll divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. Judah, you're the one your brothers will praise. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father's children will bow down to you. Judah is a lion's cub. From the kill, my son, you've gone up. He crouched down, he lay like a lion, and like an old lion — who would rouse him? The royal staff won't leave Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, till Shiloh comes. And to him the peoples will gather. He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the best vine. He washed his clothes in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be dark with wine, and his teeth white with milk. Zebulun will live by the harbour of the sea, a harbour for ships, and his border will reach to Zidon. Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between two loads. And he saw that rest was good and the country pleasant. So he bent his shoulder to the load and became a servant to forced labour. Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the road, an adder in the path, that bites the horse's heels so the rider falls backward. I have waited for your salvation, Lord. Gad — a raiding party will come at him, but he'll come at their heels. Out of Asher his bread will be rich, and he'll put up food fit for a king. Naphtali is a doe let loose. He gives out beautiful words. Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring, whose branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him. But his bow held firm, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob — from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. By the God of your father, who will help you, and by the Almighty, who will bless you with the blessings of heaven above, the blessings of the deep that lies below, the blessings of the breast and of the womb. The blessings of your father have gone beyond the blessings of my own forebears, out to the furthest bound of the everlasting hills. They'll be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of the one set apart from his brothers. Benjamin is a wolf that tears. In the morning he'll eat the prey, and at night he'll divide the plunder. These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed every one of them with the blessing that belonged to him.

And Jacob called his sons: Gather yourselves together, so I can tell you what'll happen to you in the last days. Gather yourselves together and listen, you sons of Jacob. And listen to Israel your father. Reuben, you're my firstborn, my might and the start of my strength, the best in honour and the best in power. Unsteady as water, you won't be the best — because you went up to your father's bed. Then you made it filthy. He went up to my couch. Simeon and Levi are brothers. Weapons of violence are in their homes. Don't let my soul come into their secret. To their gathering, my honour, don't be joined. Because in their anger they killed a man, and in their own will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, because it was fierce, and their fury, because it was cruel. I'll divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of the ones against you. Your father's children will bow down in front of you. Judah is a lion's cub. From the prey, my son, you've gone up. He crouched down, he lay like a lion and like an old lion. Who'll stir him up? The sceptre won't leave Judah, or a lawgiver from between his feet, till Shiloh comes. And to him will be the gathering of the people. He ties his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine. He washed his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be red with wine and his teeth white with milk. Zebulun will live at the haven of the sea. And he'll be a haven for ships, and his border will be to Sidon. Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between two burdens. And he saw that rest was good and the land was pleasant. And he bowed his shoulder to carry and turned into a servant to forced labour. Dan will judge his people, like one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the way, a viper in the path, that bites the horse's heels so his rider falls backward. I've waited for your salvation, Lord. Gad — a troop will win against him. But he'll win at the last. Out of Asher his bread will be rich, and he'll give royal food. Naphtali is a deer let loose. He gives good words. Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall. The archers have badly grieved him and shot at him and hated him. But his bow stayed strong, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob — from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. By the God of your father, who'll help you. And by the Almighty, who'll bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have won over the blessings of my ancestors, right to the far end of the everlasting hills. They'll be on the head of Joseph, and on the top of the head of the one set apart from his brothers. Benjamin will tear like a wolf. In the morning he'll eat the prey, and at night he'll divide the plunder. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. And this is what their father spoke to them and blessed them with. He blessed each one according to his blessing.

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

1

And Jacob called his sons and said: Gather round, and I'll tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.

Plain English

And Jacob called his sons: Gather yourselves together, so I can tell you what'll happen to you in the last days.

King James Version, 1611

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

2

Gather round and listen, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel your father.

Plain English

Gather yourselves together and listen, you sons of Jacob. And listen to Israel your father.

King James Version, 1611

Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

3

Reuben, you're my firstborn, my might, the first of my strength — first in dignity and first in power.

Plain English

Reuben, you're my firstborn, my might and the start of my strength, the best in honour and the best in power.

King James Version, 1611

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

4

Unsteady as water, you won't come first. Because you went up to your father's bed and defiled it. He went up onto my couch.

Plain English

Unsteady as water, you won't be the best — because you went up to your father's bed. Then you made it filthy. He went up to my couch.

King James Version, 1611

Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

5

Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of cruelty.

Plain English

Simeon and Levi are brothers. Weapons of violence are in their homes.

King James Version, 1611

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

6

My soul, keep out of their counsel. My honour, don't be joined to their gathering. Because in their anger they killed a man, and in their own will they hamstrung an ox.

Plain English

Don't let my soul come into their secret. To their gathering, my honour, don't be joined. Because in their anger they killed a man, and in their own will they hamstrung an ox.

King James Version, 1611

O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

7

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

Plain English

Cursed be their anger, because it was fierce, and their fury, because it was cruel. I'll divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

King James Version, 1611

Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

8

Judah, you're the one your brothers will praise. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father's children will bow down to you.

Plain English

Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of the ones against you. Your father's children will bow down in front of you.

King James Version, 1611

Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.

9

Judah is a lion's cub. From the kill, my son, you've gone up. He crouched down, he lay like a lion, and like an old lion — who would rouse him?

Plain English

Judah is a lion's cub. From the prey, my son, you've gone up. He crouched down, he lay like a lion and like an old lion. Who'll stir him up?

King James Version, 1611

Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

10

The royal staff won't leave Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, till Shiloh comes. And to him the peoples will gather.

Plain English

The sceptre won't leave Judah, or a lawgiver from between his feet, till Shiloh comes. And to him will be the gathering of the people.

King James Version, 1611

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

11

He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the best vine. He washed his clothes in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes.

Plain English

He ties his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine. He washed his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes.

King James Version, 1611

Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

12

His eyes will be dark with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Plain English

His eyes will be red with wine and his teeth white with milk.

King James Version, 1611

His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

13

Zebulun will live by the harbour of the sea, a harbour for ships, and his border will reach to Zidon.

Plain English

Zebulun will live at the haven of the sea. And he'll be a haven for ships, and his border will be to Sidon.

King James Version, 1611

Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

14

Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between two loads.

Plain English

Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between two burdens.

King James Version, 1611

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

15

And he saw that rest was good and the country pleasant. So he bent his shoulder to the load and became a servant to forced labour.

Plain English

And he saw that rest was good and the land was pleasant. And he bowed his shoulder to carry and turned into a servant to forced labour.

King James Version, 1611

And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

16

Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

Plain English

Dan will judge his people, like one of the tribes of Israel.

King James Version, 1611

Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

17

Dan will be a snake by the road, an adder in the path, that bites the horse's heels so the rider falls backward.

Plain English

Dan will be a snake by the way, a viper in the path, that bites the horse's heels so his rider falls backward.

King James Version, 1611

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

18

I have waited for your salvation, Lord.

Plain English

I've waited for your salvation, Lord.

King James Version, 1611

I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

19

Gad — a raiding party will come at him, but he'll come at their heels.

Plain English

Gad — a troop will win against him. But he'll win at the last.

King James Version, 1611

Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

20

Out of Asher his bread will be rich, and he'll put up food fit for a king.

Plain English

Out of Asher his bread will be rich, and he'll give royal food.

King James Version, 1611

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

21

Naphtali is a doe let loose. He gives out beautiful words.

Plain English

Naphtali is a deer let loose. He gives good words.

King James Version, 1611

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

22

Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring, whose branches run over the wall.

Plain English

Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall.

King James Version, 1611

Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

23

The archers have bitterly grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him.

Plain English

The archers have badly grieved him and shot at him and hated him.

King James Version, 1611

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

24

But his bow held firm, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob — from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel.

Plain English

But his bow stayed strong, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob — from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.

King James Version, 1611

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

25

By the God of your father, who will help you, and by the Almighty, who will bless you with the blessings of heaven above, the blessings of the deep that lies below, the blessings of the breast and of the womb.

Plain English

By the God of your father, who'll help you. And by the Almighty, who'll bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

King James Version, 1611

Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

26

The blessings of your father have gone beyond the blessings of my own forebears, out to the furthest bound of the everlasting hills. They'll be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of the one set apart from his brothers.

Plain English

The blessings of your father have won over the blessings of my ancestors, right to the far end of the everlasting hills. They'll be on the head of Joseph, and on the top of the head of the one set apart from his brothers.

King James Version, 1611

The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

27

Benjamin is a wolf that tears. In the morning he'll eat the prey, and at night he'll divide the plunder.

Plain English

Benjamin will tear like a wolf. In the morning he'll eat the prey, and at night he'll divide the plunder.

King James Version, 1611

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

28

These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed every one of them with the blessing that belonged to him.

Plain English

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. And this is what their father spoke to them and blessed them with. He blessed each one according to his blessing.

King James Version, 1611

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

The death of Jacob

And he gave them his orders: I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave in the field of Machpelah, before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a burial place. That's where they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. That's where they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife. And that's where I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the sons of Heth. And when Jacob had finished giving his sons their orders, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

And he ordered them: I'm to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that's in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave in the field of Machpelah, that's in front of Mamre in the land of Canaan, that Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife. And there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the sons of Heth. And when Jacob had finished ordering his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed and gave up the ghost, and was gathered to his people.

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

29

And he gave them his orders: I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Plain English

And he ordered them: I'm to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that's in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

King James Version, 1611

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

30

in the cave in the field of Machpelah, before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a burial place.

Plain English

in the cave in the field of Machpelah, that's in front of Mamre in the land of Canaan, that Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a burial place.

King James Version, 1611

In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

31

That's where they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. That's where they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife. And that's where I buried Leah.

Plain English

There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife. And there I buried Leah.

King James Version, 1611

There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

32

The field and the cave in it were bought from the sons of Heth.

King James Version, 1611

The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.

33

And when Jacob had finished giving his sons their orders, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

Plain English

And when Jacob had finished ordering his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed and gave up the ghost, and was gathered to his people.

King James Version, 1611

And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.