17. When Joseph saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, this seemed wrong to him; so he took hold of his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s,
18. saying, “That is not right, father; the other one is the firstborn; lay your right hand on his head!”
19. But his father refused. “I know it, son,” he said, “I know. That one too shall become a people, and he too shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall surpass him, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”
20. So he blessed them that day and said, “By you shall the people of Israel pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” Thus he placed Ephraim before Manasseh.
21. Then Israel said to Joseph: “I am about to die. But God will be with you and will restore you to the land of your ancestors.
22. As for me, I give to you, as to the one above his brothers, Shechem, which I captured from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”