1
And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
2
"Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.
3
"Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
4
Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father's bed; Then you defiled it-- He went up to my couch.
5
"Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
6
Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
7
Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.
8
"Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you.