Reuben, you are my firstborn,(A)
my strength and the firstfruits of my virility,(B)
excelling in prominence, excelling in power.
Turbulent as water, you will no longer excel,
because you got into your father’s bed(C)
and you defiled it—he[a] got into my bed.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 49:4 LXX, Syr, Tg read you

“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)

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