Reuben, you are my firstborn,(A)
my strength and the firstfruits of my virility,(B)
excelling in prominence, excelling in power.
Turbulent as water, you will not excel,
because you got into your father’s bed(C)
and you defiled it—he[a] got into my bed.

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Footnotes

  1. 49:4 LXX, Syr, Tg read you

“Reuben, you are my firstborn,(A)
    my might, the first sign of my strength,(B)
    excelling in honor,(C) excelling in power.
Turbulent as the waters,(D) you will no longer excel,
    for you went up onto your father’s bed,
    onto my couch and defiled it.(E)

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15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
Issachar was with Barak;
they were under his leadership[a](A) in the valley.
There was great searching[b] of heart
among the clans of Reuben.
16 Why did you sit among the sheep pens[c]
listening to the playing of pipes for the flocks?
There was great searching of heart
among the clans of Reuben.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:15 Lit they set out as his feet
  2. 5:15 Some Hb mss, Syr read There were great resolves
  3. 5:16 Or the campfires

15 The princes of Issachar(A) were with Deborah;(B)
    yes, Issachar was with Barak,(C)
    sent under his command into the valley.
In the districts of Reuben
    there was much searching of heart.
16 Why did you stay among the sheep pens[a](D)
    to hear the whistling for the flocks?(E)
In the districts of Reuben
    there was much searching of heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 5:16 Or the campfires; or the saddlebags