48:8. Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these? 48:9. He answered: They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said: Bring them to me, that I may bless them. 48:10. For Israel’s eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. And when they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them, 48:11. And said to his son: I am not deprived of seeing thee; moreover God hath shewn me thy seed. 48:12. And when Joseph had taken them from his father’s lap, he bowed down with his face to the ground. 48:13. And he set Ephraim on his right hand, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasses on his left hand, to wit, towards his father’s right hand, and brought them near to him. 48:14. But he, stretching forth his right hand, put it upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother; and the left upon the head of Manasses, who was the elder, changing his hands. 48:15. And Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, and said: God, in whose sight my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, God that feedeth me from my youth until this day: 48:16. The angel that delivereth me from all evils, bless these boys: and let my name be called upon them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth. 48:17. And Joseph seeing that his father had put his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, was much displeased: and taking his father’s hand, he tried to lift it from Ephraim’s head, and to remove it to the head of Manasses. 48:18. And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put thy right hand upon his head. 48:19. But he refusing, said: I know, my son, I know: and this also shall become a people, and shall be multiplied; but his younger brother shall be greater than he; and his seed shall grow into nations. 48:20. And he blessed them at that time, saying: In thee shall Israel be blessed, and it shall be said: God do to thee as to Ephraim, and as to Manasses. And he set Ephraim before Manasses. 48:21. And he said to Joseph, his son: Behold I die, and God will be with you, and will bring you back into the land of your fathers. 48:22. I give thee a portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorrhite with my sword and bow. Genesis Chapter 49 Jacob’s prophetical blessings of his twelve sons: his death. 49:1. And Jacob called his sons, and said to them: Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you the things that shall befall you in the last days. 49:2. Gather yourselves together, and hear, O ye sons of Jacob, hearken to Israel, your father: 49:3. Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command.