Genesis 48:17   (Read all of Genesis 48)

When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

Genesis 48:18   (Read all of Genesis 48)

Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

Genesis 48:19   (Read all of Genesis 48)

But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations."

Genesis 48:20   (Read all of Genesis 48)

He blessed them that day and said, "In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.' " So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Genesis 48:21   (Read all of Genesis 48)

Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers.

Genesis 48:22   (Read all of Genesis 48)

And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."

Genesis 49:1   (Read all of Genesis 49)

Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

Genesis 49:2   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

Genesis 49:3   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

Genesis 49:5   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Simeon and Levi are brothers- their swords are weapons of violence.

Genesis 49:7   (Read all of Genesis 49)

Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.

Genesis 49:8   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you.

Genesis 49:9   (Read all of Genesis 49)

You are a lion's cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness-who dares to rouse him?

Genesis 49:10   (Read all of Genesis 49)

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Genesis 49:13   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon.

Genesis 49:14   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens.

Genesis 49:15   (Read all of Genesis 49)

When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor.

Genesis 49:17   (Read all of Genesis 49)

Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

Genesis 49:21   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49:22   (Read all of Genesis 49)

"Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.

Genesis 49:23   (Read all of Genesis 49)

With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility.

Genesis 49:24   (Read all of Genesis 49)

But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Genesis 49:25   (Read all of Genesis 49)

because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.

Genesis 49:28   (Read all of Genesis 49)

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.