1. Jacob called his sons and said: “Gather around, that I may tell you what is to happen to you in days to come.
2. “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,listen to Israel, your father.
3. “You, Reuben, my firstborn,my strength and the first fruit of my vigor,excelling in rank and excelling in power!
4. Turbulent as water, you shall no longer excel,for you climbed into your father’s bedand defiled my couch to my sorrow.
5. “Simeon and Levi, brothers indeed,weapons of violence are their knives.
6. Let not my person enter their council,or my honor be joined with their company;For in their fury they killed men,at their whim they maimed oxen.