Genesis 49:1-7 ▼

1 Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.

2 Come together and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel:

3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power.

4 Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed.

5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons.

6 May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For in their anger they kill men, and on a whim they hamstring oxen.

7 Their anger is cursed, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is cruel! I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.