Genesis 49:14-28

“Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between its saddlebags. When he sees that his resting place is good, and his portion is so pleasant, then he will bend his shoulder to the burden and labor for his master. “Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake waiting by the roadside, like a snake in the grass. He bites the horse’s heels, making its rider fall backward. “I wait in hope for your salvation, O  YAHWEH! “Gad will be raided by raiders, but he will raid at their heels and overcome them at last. “Asher’s food will be rich, and he will provide delicacies fit for a king. “Naphtali is a doe set free, who bestows beauty on his offspring. “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine growing by a spring, whose branches run over a wall. Persecutors fiercely attacked him; they pursued him with their bow and arrows. But Joseph’s bow remained steady, because the power of the Mighty One of Jacob strengthened him, by the name of the loving Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. The God of your father will help and protect you; the God who is more than enough will bless you. He will bless you with the blessings of heaven, blessings of the deep that lie beneath, and blessings of the breast and womb. The blessings of your father will be greater than the blessings of the eternal mountains, surpassing the blessings of my ancestors! May Joseph’s blessings crown his head and rest on the brow of the one set apart, prince among his brothers. “Benjamin is a ferocious wolf. He devours his prey; in the evening, he divides the spoil.” All these men became the twelve tribes of Israel. These were prophetic words their father spoke to them when he blessed them, blessing each son with a parting word appropriate to him.