NET Bible
"You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father’s bed, then you defiled it– he got on my couch!"
— Genesis 49:4, NET Bible
“Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.”
“Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. ”
“Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.”
“Thou art poured out as water, grow thou not; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch.”
“But because you were uncontrolled, the first place will not be yours; for you went up to your father's bed, even his bride-bed, and made it unclean.”
“Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.”
The Blessing of Jacob Jacob called for his sons and said,“Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in the future.
“Assemble and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.
You are destructive like water and will not excel, for you got on your father’s bed, then you defiled it– he got on my couch!
Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives!
O my soul, do not come into their council, do not be united to their assembly, my heart, for in their anger they have killed men, and for pleasure they have hamstrung oxen.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their fury, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel!