Genesis 49:9-24

Judah is like a young lion. You have returned from killing, my son. Like a lion, he stretches out and lies down to rest, and no one is brave enough to wake him. Kings will come from Judah’s family; someone from Judah will always be on the throne. Judah will rule until Shiloh comes, and the nations will obey him. He ties his donkey to a grapevine, his young donkey to the best branch. He can afford to use wine to wash his clothes and the best wine to wash his robes. His eyes are dark like the color of wine, and his teeth are as white as the color of milk. “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.