9. Judah, you are like a lion's cub. You return from hunting, my son. Like a lion, you lie down and sleep. You are like a mother lion. Who dares to wake you up?
10. The right to rule will not leave Judah. The ruler's rod will not be taken from between his feet. It will be his until the king it belongs to comes. It will be his until the nations obey him.
11. He will tie his donkey to a vine. He will tie his colt to the very best branch. He will wash his clothes in wine. He will wash his robes in the red juice of grapes.
12. His eyes will be darker than wine. His teeth will be whiter than milk.
13. "Zebulun will live by the seashore. He will become a safe harbor for ships. His border will go out toward Sidon.
14. "Issachar is like a donkey lying down between two saddlebags.
15. He sees how good his resting place is. He sees that his land is pleasant. So he'll carry a heavy load on his back. He will obey when he's forced to work.
16. "Dan will do what is fair for his people. He will do it as one of the tribes of Israel.
17. Dan will be a serpent by the side of the road. He will be a poisonous snake along the path. It bites the horse's heels so that the rider falls off backward.
18. "Lord, I look to you to save me.
19. "Gad will be attacked by a group of robbers. But he'll attack them as they run away.
20. "Asher's food will be rich and sweet. He will provide food that even a king would enjoy.
21. "Naphtali is a female deer that is set free and gives birth to beautiful fawns.
22. "Joseph is a vine that grows a lot of fruit. It grows close by a spring. Its branches climb over a wall.
23. Mean people shot arrows at him. They shot at him because they were angry.