Moses Reviews the Tribes of Israel

1This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the Israelis before his death. 2He said:

“The LORD came from Sinai.

Rising from Seir upon us,a

he shone forth from Mount Paran,

accompaniedb by a myriadc of his holy ones,

with flaming fire from his right hand for them.

3Indeed, lover of people,

all of his holy ones are in your control.d

They gather at your feet

to do as you have instructed.e

4Moses commanded with the Law,

an inheritance for the community of Jacob.

5The LORDf was king of Jeshurung

when the leaders of the people—

all the tribes of Israel—gathered together.”

Reuben

6“May Reuben live and not die,

though his numbers are few.”

Judah

7He declared this about Judah:

“Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah

and return him to his people.

With his own strength he fights for himself,

and you will be of assistanceh againsti his enemies.”

Levi

8About Levi he said:

“Let your Thummim and Urimj be with the man

to whom you showed gracious love,

whom you tested at Massah

and with whom you struggled

at the waters of Meribah,

9the one who told his mother and father,

‘I don’t knowk them,’

and who would neither acknowledge his brothers

nor know his own children.

For they kept your word

and guarded your covenant.

10They will teach your ordinances to Jacob,

and your Law to Israel.

They will offer incense as a pleasant aroma to youl

and a whole burnt offering upon your altar.

11LORD, bless his substance

and approve the work that he undertakes.m

Shatter the legsn of those who oppose against him;

may those who hate him stand no more.”

Benjamin

12About Benjamin he said:

“The beloved of the LORD will live confidently,

the Most High protectingo him all day long,

and resting in his bosom.p ”

Joseph

13About Joseph he said:

“May the blessing of the LORD be on his land:

dew from the choicest of the heavens,

and from the depths beneath;

14from the choicest products of the sun,

the rich fruit of the harvest moon,q

15the choicest portionr of the eternal mountains,

and the best of the everlasting hills;

16from the choicest of the earth and its fullness,

and the favor of the one who lived in the burnings bush.

May blessingt rest on Joseph’s head,

and on the crown of the head

of the one set apart from his brothers.

17May the firstborn of his bull be honorable to him,

and may his horns be those of a wild ox.

With them may he push people all together,

to the ends of the earth.

These are the myriadsu of Ephraim

and the thousands of Manasseh.”

Zebulun and Issachar

18About Zebulun he said:

“Zebulun, rejoice as you go out

and Issachar, in being inside your tents.

19They will call the peoples to the mountain,

and there they will offer righteous sacrifices,

for they’ll draw from the abundance of the sea

and from the hidden treasures of the sand.”

Gad

20About Gad he said:

“Blessed be the one who enlarges Gad!

Like a roaring lion, he crouches,

tearing arm and scalp.

21He chose the best part for himself,

when the leader’s portion was assigned.

He came at the head of the people,

carrying out the LORD’S justice

and his ordinances concerning Israel.”

Dan

22About Dan he said:

“Dan is a lion’s cub,

leaping forth from Bashan.”

Naphtali

23About Naphtali he said:

“Naphtali, full of favor and the LORD’s blessing,

take possession of the westv and south.”

Asher

24About Asher he said:

“May Asher be blessed, along with his descendants,

may his brothers be pleased with him,

may he dip his feet in oil,

25may your bolts be made of iron and bronze,

and may your strength be sufficient for each day you live.”

Israel’s Defender

26“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,w

who rides through the heavens

with its lofty clouds to help you.

27The God of old is a dwelling place,

with everlasting arms underneath.

He drove out your enemies before you

and said: ‘Destroy them!’

28So Israel lives in confidence,

isolated as the fountain of Jacob

in a land of grain and new wine,

where the heavens rain down dew.

29How blessed are you, Israel!

Who can be like you,

a people delivered by the LORD,

your shield of help and

your finely crafted sword.

May your enemies cower before you.

You will tread down their high places.”