49Genesis 49

Jacob Blesses His Sons

1Jacob called his sons together and said: My sons, I am Jacob, your father Israel.Select Genesis 49:1

2Come, gather around, as I tell your future.Select Genesis 49:2

3Reuben, you are my oldest, born at the peak of my powers; you were an honored leader.Select Genesis 49:3

4Uncontrollable as a flood, you slept with my wife and disgraced my bed. And so you no longer deserve the place of honor.Select Genesis 49:4

5Simeon and Levi, you are brothers, each a gruesome sword.Select Genesis 49:5

6I never want to take part in your plans or deeds. You slaughtered people in your anger, and you crippled cattle for no reason.Select Genesis 49:6

7Now I place a curse on you because of your fierce anger. Your descendants will be scattered among the tribes of Israel.Select Genesis 49:7

8Judah, you will be praised by your brothers; they will bow down to you, as you defeat your enemies.Select Genesis 49:8

9My son, you are a lion ready to eat your victim! You are terribly fierce; no one will bother you.Select Genesis 49:9

10You will have power and rule until nations obey you and come bringing gifts.Select Genesis 49:10

11You will tie your donkey to a choice grapevine and wash your clothes in wine from those grapes.Select Genesis 49:11

12Your eyes are darker than wine, your teeth whiter than milk.Select Genesis 49:12

13Zebulun, you will settle along the seashore and provide safe harbors as far north as Sidon.Select Genesis 49:13

14Issachar, you are a strong donkey resting in the meadows.Select Genesis 49:14

15You found them so pleasant that you worked too hard and became a slave.Select Genesis 49:15

16Dan, you are the tribe that will bring justice to Israel.Select Genesis 49:16

17You are a snake that bites the heel of a horse, making its rider fall.Select Genesis 49:17

18Our Lord, I am waiting for you to save us.Select Genesis 49:18

19Gad, you will be attacked, then attack your attackers.Select Genesis 49:19

20Asher, you will eat food fancy enough for a king.Select Genesis 49:20

21Naphtali, you are a wild deer with lovely fawns.Select Genesis 49:21

22Joseph, you are a fruitful vine growing near a stream and climbing a wall.Select Genesis 49:22

23Enemies attacked with arrows, refusing to show mercy.Select Genesis 49:23

24But you stood your ground, swiftly shooting back with the help of Jacob's God, the All-Powerful One— his name is the Shepherd, Israel's mighty rock.Select Genesis 49:24

25Your help came from the God your father worshiped, from God All-Powerful. God will bless you with rain and streams from the earth; he will bless you with many descendants.Select Genesis 49:25

26My son, the blessings I give are better than the promise of ancient mountains or eternal hills. Joseph, I pray these blessings will come to you, because you are the leader of your brothers.Select Genesis 49:26

27Benjamin, you are a fierce wolf, destroying your enemies morning and evening.Select Genesis 49:27

28These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is how Jacob gave each of them their proper blessings.Select Genesis 49:28

Jacob's Death

31Jacob told his sons: Soon I will die, and I want you to bury me in Machpelah Cave. Abraham bought this cave as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, and it is near the town of Mamre in Canaan. Abraham and Sarah are buried there, and so are Isaac and Rebekah. I buried Leah there too.Select Genesis 49:31

32Both the cave and the land that goes with it were bought from the Hittites.Select Genesis 49:32

33When Jacob had finished giving these instructions to his sons, he lay down on his bed and died.Select Genesis 49:33