Genesis 48:8-16

8Joseph brought Ephraim and Manasseh to his father, Jacob. Jacob asked him, ‘Who are these boys?’

9Joseph replied, ‘They are the sons that God has given to me here in Egypt.’ Then Israel said, ‘Bring them near to me so that I can bless them.’

10Jacob's eyes had become weak because he was very old. He was almost blind. So Joseph brought his sons near to his father. His father kissed them and he hugged them.

11Jacob said to Joseph, ‘I never thought that I would see you again. But now God has let me see your children too.’

12Then Joseph removed his sons from Jacob's knees. He bent down low, with his face towards the ground.

13He took his two sons near to Jacob. With his right hand, he put Ephraim beside Jacob's left hand. With his left hand, he put Manasseh beside Jacob's right hand.

14Jacob then put out his right hand. But he put it on Ephraim's head, even though Ephraim was the younger son. Jacob crossed his arms so that he put his left hand on Manasseh's head. Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn son.

15Then Jacob blessed Joseph. He said, ‘May God bless these two boys. He is the God that my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, served. Like a shepherd takes care of his sheep, God has taken care of me all my life, until this day.

16He is the Angel who has kept me safe. I pray that he will bless these boys. I pray that, because of them, people will remember my name, and the names of my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac. I pray that they will have many descendants who live all over the earth.’