1. Then Jacob called all his sons to him. He said, “My sons, come here to me. I will tell you what will happen in the future.
2. “Children of Jacob, gather around. Come listen to Israel, your father.
3. “Reuben, my first son, you are my strength, the first proof of my manhood. You were the most honored and powerful of all my sons.
4. But your passion was like a flood you couldn’t control. So you will not remain my most honored son. You climbed into your father’s bed and slept with one of his wives. You brought shame to my bed, to the bed you lay on.
5. “Simeon and Levi are brothers. They are violent with their swords.
6. I will not join their secret meetings. I will not take part in their evil plans. They have killed people out of anger and crippled animals for fun.
7. Their anger is so strong that it is a curse. They are too cruel when they are angry. They will not get their own land in the land of Jacob. They will be spread throughout Israel.
8. “Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will defeat your enemies. Your brothers will bow down to you.
9. Judah is like a young lion. My son, you are like a lion standing over the animal it killed. Like a lion, Judah lies down to rest, and no one is brave enough to disturb him.
10. Men from Judah’s family will be kings. The sign that his family rules will not leave his family before the real king comes. Then many people will obey and serve him.
11. He ties his donkeys to the best grapevines. He washes his clothes in the best wine.
12. His eyes are red from drinking wine. His teeth are white from drinking milk.
13. “Zebulun will live near the sea. His seacoast will be a safe place for ships. His land will continue as far as the city of Sidon.