Deuteronomy 33 :: New International Version (NIV)

Moses Blesses the Tribes

Deu 33:1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death.

Deu 33:2He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with[fn] myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.[fn]

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Deu 33:3Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction,

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Deu 33:4the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

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Deu 33:5He was king over Jeshurun[fn] when the leaders of the people assembled, along with the tribes of Israel.

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Deu 33:6“Let Reuben live and not die, nor[fn] his people be few.”

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Deu 33:7And this he said about Judah: “Hear, LORD, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!”

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Deu 33:8About Levi he said: “Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful servant. You tested him at Massah; you contended with him at the waters of Meribah.

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Deu 33:9He said of his father and mother, ‘I have no regard for them.’ He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant.

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Deu 33:10He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar.

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Deu 33:11Bless all his skills, LORD, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Strike down those who rise against him, his foes till they rise no more.”

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Deu 33:12About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

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Deu 33:13About Joseph he said: “May the LORD bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below;

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Deu 33:14with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield;

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Deu 33:15with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;

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Deu 33:16with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among[fn] his brothers.

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Deu 33:17In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

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Deu 33:18About Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents.

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Deu 33:19They will summon peoples to the mountain and there offer the sacrifices of the righteous; they will feast on the abundance of the seas, on the treasures hidden in the sand.”

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Deu 33:20About Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at arm or head.

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Deu 33:21He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the LORD’s righteous will, and his judgments concerning Israel.”

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Deu 33:22About Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, springing out of Bashan.”

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Deu 33:23About Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.”

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Deu 33:24About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.

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Deu 33:25The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.

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Deu 33:26“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty.

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Deu 33:27The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’

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Deu 33:28So Israel will live in safety; Jacob will dwell[fn] secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.

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Deu 33:29Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.”