33Deuteronomy 33

Moses Blesses the Tribes of Israel

1Moses was a prophet, and before he died, he blessed the tribes of Israel by saying:Select Deuteronomy 33:1

2The Lord came from Mount Sinai. From Edom, he gave light to his people, and his glory was shining from Mount Paran. Thousands of his warriors were with him, and fire was at his right hand.Select Deuteronomy 33:2

3The Lord loves the tribes of Israel, and he protects his people. They listen to his words and worship at his feet. *Select Deuteronomy 33:3

4I called a meeting of the tribes of Israel and gave you God's Law.Select Deuteronomy 33:4

5Then you and your leaders made the Lord your king.Select Deuteronomy 33:5

6Tribe of Reuben, you will live, even though your tribe will always be small.Select Deuteronomy 33:6

7The Lord will listen to you, tribe of Judah, as you beg to come safely home. You fought your enemies alone; now the Lord will help you.Select Deuteronomy 33:7

8At Massah and Meribah Spring, the Lord tested you, tribe of Levi. You were faithful, and so the priesthood belongs to the Levi tribe.Select Deuteronomy 33:8

9Protecting Israel's agreement with the Lord was more important to you than the life of your father or mother, or brothers or sisters, or your own children.Select Deuteronomy 33:9

10You teach God's laws to Israel, and at the place of worship you offer sacrifices and burn incense.Select Deuteronomy 33:10

11I pray that the Lord will bless everything you do, and make you strong enough to crush your enemies.Select Deuteronomy 33:11

12The Lord Most High loves you, tribe of Benjamin. He will live among your hills and protect you.Select Deuteronomy 33:12

13Descendants of Joseph, the Lord will bless you with precious water from deep wells and with dew from the sky.Select Deuteronomy 33:13

14Month by month, your fruit will ripen in the sunshine.Select Deuteronomy 33:14

15You will have a rich harvest from the slopes of the ancient hills.Select Deuteronomy 33:15

16The Lord who appeared in the burning bush wants to give you the best the land can produce, and it will be a princely crown on Joseph's head.Select Deuteronomy 33:16

17The armies of Ephraim and Manasseh are majestic and fierce like a bull or a wild ox. They will run their spears through faraway nations.Select Deuteronomy 33:17

18Be happy, Zebulun, as your boats set sail; be happy, Issachar, in your tents.Select Deuteronomy 33:18

19The sea will make you wealthy, and from the sandy beach you will get treasure. So invite the other tribes to celebrate with you and offer sacrifices to God.Select Deuteronomy 33:19

20Tribe of Gad, the Lord will bless you with more land. So shout his praises! Your tribe is like a lion ripping up its victim.Select Deuteronomy 33:20

21Your leaders met together and chose the best land for your tribe, but you obeyed the Lord and helped the other tribes.Select Deuteronomy 33:21

22Tribe of Dan, you are like a lion cub, startled by a snake.Select Deuteronomy 33:22

23The Lord is pleased with you, people of Naphtali. He will bless you and give you the land to the west and the south.Select Deuteronomy 33:23

24The Lord's greatest blessing is for you, tribe of Asher. You will be the favorite of all the other tribes. You will be rich with olive oilSelect Deuteronomy 33:24

25and have strong town gates with bronze and iron bolts. Your people will be powerful for as long as they live.Select Deuteronomy 33:25

26Israel, no other god is like ours— the clouds are his chariot as he rides across the skies to come and help us.Select Deuteronomy 33:26

27The eternal God is our hiding place; he carries us in his arms. When God tells you to destroy your enemies, he will make them run.Select Deuteronomy 33:27

28Israel, you will live in safety; your enemies will be gone. The dew will fall from the sky, and you will have plenty of grain and wine.Select Deuteronomy 33:28

29The Lord has rescued you and given you more blessings than any other nation. He protects you like a shield and is your majestic sword. Your enemies will bow in fear, and you will trample on their backs.Select Deuteronomy 33:29