Genesis 49:13-28

“Zebulun will live near the sea. His shore will be a safe place for ships, and his land will reach as far as Sidon. “Issachar is like a strong donkey who lies down while carrying his load. When he sees his resting place is good and how pleasant his land is, he will put his back to the load and become a slave. “Dan will rule his own people like the other tribes in Israel. Dan will be like a snake by the side of the road, a dangerous snake lying near the path. That snake bites a horse’s leg, and the rider is thrown off backward. “LORD, I wait for your salvation. “Robbers will attack Gad, but he will defeat them and drive them away. “Asher’s land will grow much good food; he will grow food fit for a king. “Naphtali is like a female deer that runs free, that has beautiful fawns. “Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit, a healthy vine watered by a spring, whose branches grow over the wall. Archers attack him violently and shoot at him angrily, but he aims his bow well. His arms are made strong. He gets his power from the Mighty God of Jacob and his strength from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. Your father’s God helps you. God Almighty blesses you. He blesses you with rain from above, with water from springs below, with many babies born to your wives, and many young ones born to your animals. The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the oldest mountains, greater than the good things of the long-lasting hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, on the forehead of the one who was separated from his brothers. “Benjamin is like a hungry wolf. In the morning he eats what he has caught, and in the evening he divides what he has taken.” These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them. He gave each son the blessing that was right for him.