²⁵ he said,

¹⁴ But Israel^(A) reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head,^(B) though he was the younger,^(C) and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.^(D)

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.^(A) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,^(B) and his descendants will become a group of nations.^(C)”

¹¹ Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(A)—in order that God’s purpose^(B) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^[a](C)