had a vision showing him an angel of strength standing at
the side of Judah on all his ways.

Judah did not conceal his shortcomings, either. He confessed
how drunkenness and passion had betrayed him first
into marriage with a Canaanitish woman, and then into improper
relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar. He said
to his children:

"Do not walk after the desire of your hearts, and vaunt
not the valiant deeds of your youth. This, too, is evil in the
eyes of the Lord. For while I boasted that the face of a
beautiful woman had never allured me in the wars, and reviled
my brother Reuben for his transgression with Bilhah,
the spirit of passion and unchastity gained possession of me,