“Assemble together and hear, O sons of Jacob; And listen to Israel your father.
¶“Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my vigor, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in strength.
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
Who is the man who delights in life And loves many days that he may see good?
¶Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
¶Give your heart to me, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my discernment;
¶My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not abandon the law of your mother;
My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you.
¶So now, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
¶“So now, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways.
“Assemble, all of you, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? Yahweh loves him; he will carry out His good pleasure on Babylon, And His arm will be against the Chaldeans.