3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power.
4 Turbulent as water, you will no longer excel,because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it — he got into my bed.
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers;their knives are vicious weapons.
6 May I never enter their council;may I never join their assembly.For in their anger they kill men,and on a whim they hamstring oxen.
7 Their anger is cursed, for it is strong,and their fury, for it is cruel!I will disperse them throughout Jacoband scatter them throughout Israel.
8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies;your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 Judah is a young lion —my son, you return from the kill.He crouches; he lies down like a lionor a lioness — who dares to rouse him?