Add parallel Print Page Options

Reuben

“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.
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.

Simeon and Levi

“Simeon and Levi are brothers.
    They are violent with their swords.

Read full chapter

“Reuben, you are my firstborn,(A)
    my might, the first sign of my strength,(B)
    excelling in honor,(C) excelling in power.
Turbulent as the waters,(D) you will no longer excel,
    for you went up onto your father’s bed,
    onto my couch and defiled it.(E)

“Simeon(F) and Levi(G) are brothers—
    their swords[a] are weapons of violence.(H)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 49:5 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.