New Century Version

Genesis 49:6-24 New Century Version (NCV)

6. I will not join their secret talks,and I will not meet with them to plan evil.They killed men because they were angry,and they crippled oxen just for fun.

7. May their anger be cursed, because it is too violent.May their violence be cursed, because it is too cruel.I will divide them up among the tribes of Jacoband scatter them through all the tribes of Israel.

8. “Judah, your brothers will praise you.You will grab your enemies by the neck,and your brothers will bow down to you.

9. Judah is like a young lion.You have returned from killing, my son.Like a lion, he stretches out and lies down to rest,and no one is brave enough to wake him.

10. Kings will come from Judah’s family;someone from Judah will always be on the throne.Judah will rule until Shiloh comes,and the nations will obey him.

11. He ties his donkey to a grapevine,his young donkey to the best branch.He can afford to use wine to wash his clothesand the best wine to wash his robes.

12. His eyes are dark like the color of wine,and his teeth are as white as the color of milk.

13. “Zebulun will live near the sea.His shore will be a safe place for ships,and his land will reach as far as Sidon.

14. “Issachar is like a strong donkeywho lies down while carrying his load.

15. When he sees his resting place is goodand how pleasant his land is,he will put his back to the loadand become a slave.

16. “Dan will rule his own peoplelike the other tribes in Israel.

17. Dan will be like a snake by the side of the road,a dangerous snake lying near the path.That snake bites a horse’s leg,and the rider is thrown off backward.

18. “Lord, I wait for your salvation.

19. “Robbers will attack Gad,but he will defeat them and drive them away.

20. “Asher’s land will grow much good food;he will grow food fit for a king.

21. “Naphtali is like a female deer that runs free,that has beautiful fawns.

22. “Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit,a healthy vine watered by a spring,whose branches grow over the wall.

23. Archers attack him violentlyand shoot at him angrily,

24. but he aims his bow well.His arms are made strong.He gets his power from the Mighty God of Jacoband his strength from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.