Genesis 49 : 1 (ERVEN)
Then Jacob called all his sons to him. He said, "All my sons, come here to me. I will tell you what will happen in the future.
Genesis 49 : 2 (ERVEN)
"Children of Jacob, gather around. Come listen to Israel, your father.
Genesis 49 : 3 (ERVEN)
"Reuben, my first son, you are my strength, the first proof of my manhood. You were the most honored and powerful of all my sons.
Genesis 49 : 4 (ERVEN)
But your passion was like a flood you couldn't control. So you will not remain my most honored son. You climbed into your father's bed and slept with one of his wives. You brought shame to my bed, to the bed you lay on.
Genesis 49 : 5 (ERVEN)
"Simeon and Levi are brothers. They are violent with their swords.
Genesis 49 : 6 (ERVEN)
I will not join in their secret meetings. I will not take part in their evil plans. They have killed people out of anger and crippled animals for fun.
Genesis 49 : 7 (ERVEN)
Their anger is so strong that it is a curse. They are too cruel when they are angry. They will not get their own land in the land of Jacob. They will be spread throughout Israel.
Genesis 49 : 8 (ERVEN)
"Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will defeat your enemies. Your brothers will bow down to you.
Genesis 49 : 9 (ERVEN)
Judah is like a young lion. My son, you are like a lion standing over the animal it killed. Like a lion, Judah lies down to rest, and no one is brave enough to disturb him.
Genesis 49 : 10 (ERVEN)
Men from Judah's family will be kings. The sign that his family rules will not leave his family before the real king comes. Then many people will obey and serve him.
Genesis 49 : 11 (ERVEN)
He ties his donkeys to the best grapevines. He washes his best clothes in wine, the blood of grapes.
Genesis 49 : 12 (ERVEN)
His eyes are red from drinking wine. His teeth are white from drinking milk.
Genesis 49 : 13 (ERVEN)
"Zebulun will live near the sea. His seacoast will be a safe place for ships. His land will continue as far as the city of Sidon.
Genesis 49 : 14 (ERVEN)
"Issachar is like a donkey that has worked too hard. He will lie down under his heavy load.
Genesis 49 : 15 (ERVEN)
He will see his land is pleasant and that his resting place is good. But he will agree to carry heavy loads; he will agree to work as a slave.
Genesis 49 : 16 (ERVEN)
"Dan will rule his people as one of the tribes of Israel.
Genesis 49 : 17 (ERVEN)
Dan will be like a snake at the side of the road. He will be like a dangerous snake lying near the path. That snake bites a horse's foot, and the rider falls to the ground.
Genesis 49 : 18 (ERVEN)
"Lord, I am waiting for your salvation.
Genesis 49 : 19 (ERVEN)
"A group of robbers will attack Gad, but Gad will chase them away.
Genesis 49 : 20 (ERVEN)
"Asher's land will grow much good food. He will have food fit for a king!
Genesis 49 : 21 (ERVEN)
"Naphtali is like a deer running free, and his words are beautiful.
Genesis 49 : 22 (ERVEN)
"Joseph is like a wild donkey, like a young donkey by a spring, like colts grazing in a pasture.
Genesis 49 : 23 (ERVEN)
People attacked him and made life hard for him. Men with arrows became his enemies.
Genesis 49 : 24 (ERVEN)
But he won the fight with his mighty bow and his skillful arms. He gets power from the Mighty One of Jacob, from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
Genesis 49 : 25 (ERVEN)
the God of your father who helps you. "May God All-Powerful bless you and give you blessings from the sky above and from the deep below. May he give you blessings from breast and womb.
Genesis 49 : 26 (ERVEN)
My parents had many good things happen to them. And I, your father, was blessed even more. Your brothers left you with nothing. But now I pile all my blessings on you, as high as a mountain.
Genesis 49 : 27 (ERVEN)
"Benjamin is like a hungry wolf. In the morning he kills and eats. In the evening he shares what is left."
Genesis 49 : 28 (ERVEN)
These are the twelve families of Israel. And this is what their father said to them. He gave each son a blessing that was right for him.
Genesis 49 : 29 (ERVEN)
Then Israel gave them a command. He said, "When I die, I want to be with my people. I want to be buried with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
Genesis 49 : 30 (ERVEN)
That cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre in the land of Canaan. Abraham bought that field from Ephron so that he could have a burying place.
Genesis 49 : 31 (ERVEN)
Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried in that cave. Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried in that cave. I buried my wife Leah in that cave.
Genesis 49 : 32 (ERVEN)
That cave is in the field that was bought from the Hittites."
Genesis 49 : 33 (ERVEN)
After Jacob finished talking to his sons, he lay down, put his feet back on the bed, and died.
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