8
Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these?
9
He answered: They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said: Bring them to me, that I may bless them.
10
For Israel’s eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. And when they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them,
11
And said to his son: I am not deprived of seeing thee; moreover God hath shewn me thy seed.
12
And when Joseph had taken them from his father’s lap, he bowed down with his face to the ground.
13
And he set Ephraim on his right hand, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasses on his left hand, to wit, towards his father’s right hand, and brought them near to him.
14
But he, stretching forth his right hand, put it upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother; and the left upon the head of Manasses, who was the elder, changing his hands.
15
And Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, and said: God, in whose sight my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, God that feedeth me from my youth until this day:
16
The angel that delivereth me from all evils, bless these boys: and let my name be called upon them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.
17
And Joseph seeing that his father had put his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, was much displeased: and taking his father’s hand, he tried to lift it from Ephraim’s head, and to remove it to the head of Manasses.
18
And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father; for this is the firstborn, put thy right hand upon his head.