²⁸ The descendants of Joseph^(A) by their clans through Manasseh and Ephraim^(B) were:

¹³ And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand,^(A) and brought them close to him. ¹⁴ But Israel^(B) reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head,^(C) though he was the younger,^(D) and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.^(E)

¹⁵ Then he blessed^(F) Joseph and said,

¹⁷ When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand^(O) on Ephraim’s head^(P) he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”^(Q)

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.^(R) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,^(S) and his descendants will become a group of nations.^(T)” ²⁰ He blessed^(U) them that day^(V) and said,

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

⁵ “Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt^(A) before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine,^(B) just as Reuben^(C) and Simeon^(D) are mine.

⁵¹ Joseph named his firstborn^(A) Manasseh^[a](B) and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” ⁵² The second son he named Ephraim^[b](C) and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful^(D) in the land of my suffering.”