The Scepter of Judah

Jacob called his sons: Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob. Reuben was the firstborn, but because of a serious sin against his father, he would not have first place. Simeon and Levi had acted with violence and cruel anger, so they would be scattered in Israel.

To Judah, Jacob said, Your brothers will praise you. He called Judah a lion's cub. The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. The obedience of the peoples will be to him. Jacob also spoke about Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher and Naphtali. In the middle, he prayed, I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh.

Jacob said, Joseph is a fruitful vine. Archers had attacked him, but his bow stayed strong because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. Jacob blessed Benjamin too. Then Jacob told his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah. He drew his feet into the bed and died.