1. Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in the future.
2. “Assemble and listen, you sons of Jacob;listen to Israel, your father.
3. Reuben, you are my firstborn,my might and the beginning of my strength,outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.
4. You are destructive like water and will not excel,for you got on your father’s bed,then you defiled it – he got on my couch!
5. Simeon and Levi are brothers,weapons of violence are their knives!
6. O my soul, do not come into their council,do not be united to their assembly, my heart,for in their anger they have killed men,and for pleasure they have hamstrung oxen.
7. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce,and their fury, for it was cruel.I will divide them in Jacob,and scatter them in Israel!
8. Judah, your brothers will praise you.Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies,your father’s sons will bow down before you.
9. You are a lion’s cub, Judah,from the prey, my son, you have gone up.He crouches and lies down like a lion;like a lioness – who will rouse him?