Protestantism
English
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.12
- thou shalt…: Heb. do not thou excel
- he went…: or, my couch is gone
Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Unstable as water, thou art not abundant; For thou hast gone up thy father's bed; Then thou hast polluted: My couch he went up!
Impetuous as the waters, thou shalt have no pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father's couch: Then defiledst thou [it]: he went up to my bed.
Thou wast light as water: thou shalt not be excellent, because thou wentest vp to thy fathers bed: then diddest thou defile my bed, thy dignitie is gone.
As vnstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therfore not be the chefest for thou wenst vp vpo thy fathers bedd and than defyledest thou my couche with goynge vppe.
Boiling over as water, thou shall not have the pre-eminence, because thou went up to thy father's bed, then thou defiled it; he went up to my couch.
Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father’s bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch. ¶
But because you were uncontrolled, the first place will not be yours; for you went up to your father's bed, even his bride-bed, and made it unclean.
Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.
Unstable as water, have not thou the excellency; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it--he went up to my couch.
Unstable as water, thou shalt not be principal because thou didst go up to thy father's bed; then thou became defiled, going up to my couch.
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Unstable1 as water, you shall not excel any longer, for you went up upon the bed of your father, then defiled it. You went up upon my couch!
- Or “reckless”
Like bubbling water you shall not excel, for you went up to the bed of your father; then you defiled it; he went up to my couch.
Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it. He went up to my couch.
Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.
Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.
Boiling over as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed, then defiled it. He went up to my couch.
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.12
- thou shalt…: Heb. do not thou excel.
- he went…: or, my couch is gone.
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Boiling over like water, thou mayest not have pre-eminence, Because thou didst mount the bed of thy father,—Then, wast thou profane—My marriage-bed, he mounted!
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then thou didst defile it : he went up to my couch.12
- thou shalt...: Heb. do not thou excel
- he went...: or, my couch is gone
Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch.
Catholicism
English
Thou art poured out as water, grow thou not; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch.
You are being poured out like water, may you not increase. For you climbed onto your father’s bed, and you defiled his resting place.1
- 49:4may you not increase: This was not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but by way of a prophecy foretelling that the tribe of Ruben should not inherit the pre-eminences usually annexed to the first birthright, viz., the double portion, the being prince or lord over the other brethren, and the priesthood: of which the double portion was given to Joseph, the princely office to Juda, and the priesthood to Levi.(Challoner)