10. Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of his age; he was not able to see well. So Joseph brought his sons near to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
11. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see you again, but now God has allowed me to see your children too.”
12. So Joseph moved them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.
13. Joseph positioned them; he put Ephraim on his right hand across from Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh on his left hand across from Israel’s right hand. Then Joseph brought them closer to his father.
14. Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim’s head, although he was the younger. Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked – the God who has been my shepherdall my life long to this day,
16. the Angel who has protected mefrom all harm – bless these boys.May my name be named in them,and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.May they grow into a multitude on the earth.”
17. When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him. So he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
18. Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”