Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
1 Some time after this, Joseph was told, "Your father is weaker." So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2
When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.
3
Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.
4
He said to me, 'I will make you fruitful and numerous; I will make many nations [come from] you, and I will give this land as an eternal possession to your descendants to come.'
5
Your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are now mine. Ephraim and Manasseh belong to me just as Reuben and Simeon do.
6
Children born to you after them will be yours and will be recorded under the names of their brothers with regard to their inheritance.
7
When I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way, some distance from Ephrath in the land of Canaan. I buried her there along the way to Ephrath," (that is, Bethlehem).
8
When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"
9
And Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons God has given me here." So Jacob said, "Bring them to me and I will bless them."
10
Now Jacob's eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought them to him, and he kissed and embraced them.
11
Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face [again], but now God has even let me see your offspring."
12
Then Joseph took them from his [father's] knees and bowed with his face to the ground.