12. Then Joseph took them from Israel’s knees, and he bowed low with his face to the ground.
13. Joseph took both of them, Ephraim in his right hand at Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand at Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him.
14. But Israel put out his right hand and placed it on the head of Ephraim, the younger one, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands because Manasseh was the oldest son.
15. He blessed them and said,"May the God before whom my fathersAbraham and Isaac walked,may the God who was my shepherdfrom the beginning until this day,
16. may the divine messenger who protected me from all harm,bless the young men.Through them may my name be kept aliveand the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.May they grow into a great multitudethroughout the land."
17. When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was upset and grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
18. Joseph said to his father, "No, my father! This is the oldest son. Put your right hand on his head."
19. But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He’ll become a people too, and he’ll also be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he will, and his descendants will become many nations."
20. Israel blessed them that day, saying,"Through you, Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’"So Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh.
21. Then Israel said to Joseph, "I’m about to die. God will be with you and return you to the land of your fathers.
22. I’m giving you one portion more than to your brothers, a portion that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."