Genesis 49:1-7

Jacob Blesses His Sons 1Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

2“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

3“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

4Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.

5“Simeon and Levi are brothers— their swords The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. are weapons of violence.

6Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.

7Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.