1. This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave the Israelites before he died:
2. “The Lord came from Sinai, like a light shining at dawn over Seir, like a light shining from Mount Paran. He came with 10,000 holy ones. God’s mighty soldiers were by his side.
3. Yes, the Lord loves his people. All his holy people are in his hand. They sit at his feet and learn his teachings!
4. Moses gave us the law. These teachings are for Jacob’s people.
5. At that time the Israelites and their leaders met together, and the Lord became Jeshurun’s king!
6. “Let Reuben live, and not die! But let there be only a few people in his tribe!”
7. Moses said this about Judah: “Lord, listen to the leader from Judah when he calls for help. Bring him to his people. Make him strong, and help him defeat his enemies!”
8. Moses said this about Levi: “Levi is your true follower. He keeps the Urim and Thummim. At Massah you tested the people of Levi. At the waters of Meribah, you challenged them.
9. They were more loyal to you, Lord, than to their own families. They ignored their fathers and mothers. They did not recognize their brothers. They did not pay attention to their children. But they obeyed your commands. They kept your agreement.
10. They will teach your rules to Jacob and your Law to Israel. They will burn incense before you. They will offer burnt offerings on your altar.
11. “Lord, bless everything Levi has. Accept what he does. Destroy those who attack him! Defeat his enemies so that they will never attack again.”
12. Moses said this about Benjamin: “Benjamin is loved by the Lord and lives close to him in safety. The Lord protects him all the time like a child at rest on its mother’s back.”
13. Moses said this about Joseph: “May the Lord bless Joseph’s land with rain from the skies above and water from the ground below.