1 Jacob called his sons and said: “Gather around, that I may tell you what is to happen to you in days to come.
2 “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob,listen to Israel, your father.
3 “You, Reuben, my firstborn,my strength and the first fruit of my vigor,excelling in rank and excelling in power!
4 Turbulent as water, you shall no longer excel,for you climbed into your father’s bedand defiled my couch to my sorrow.
5 “Simeon and Levi, brothers indeed,weapons of violence are their knives.
6 Let not my person enter their council,or my honor be joined with their company;For in their fury they killed men,at their whim they maimed oxen.