Descendants of Reuben

5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (^(A)for he was the firstborn, but because ^(B)he defiled his father's couch, ^(C)his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son;

²² While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and ^(A)lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph and said,

¹⁷ When Joseph saw that his father ^(F)laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. ¹⁸ And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” ¹⁹ But his father refused and said, ^(G)“I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, ^(H)his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude^[b] of nations.” ²⁰ So he blessed them that day, saying,

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. ²¹ Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but ^(J)God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. ²² Moreover, I have given to ^(K)you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope^[c] that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

³² And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,^[a] for she said, “Because the Lord ^(A)has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”