Genesis 4

Cain and Abel

1Now the man 1had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have obtained a male child with the help of the Lord.” 2And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now 2Abel was 3a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a cultivator of the ground. 3So it came about 4in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. 45Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And 6the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; 5but 7for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So 8Cain became very angry and his face 9was gloomy. 6Then the Lord said to Cain, “10Why are you angry? And why is your face 11gloomy? 712If you do well, 13will your face not be 14cheerful? 15And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, 16but you must master it.” 8Cain 17talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and 18killed him.

9Then the Lord said to Cain, “19Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10Then He said, “What have you done? 20The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground. 11Now 21you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 1222When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; 23you will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth.” 13Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is too great to endure! 14Behold, You have 24driven me this day from the face of the ground; and I will be hidden from Your face, and 25I will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth, and 26whoever finds me will kill me.” 15So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him 27seven times as much.” And the Lord 2829placed a mark on Cain, so that no one finding him would kill him.

16Then Cain left the presence 30of the Lord, and 31settled in the land of 32Nod, east of Eden.

17Cain 33had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city, and named the city Enoch, after the name of his son. 18Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19Lamech took 34two wives for himself: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and flute. 22As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Pay attention to my words, 35For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me!24If Cain is avenged 36seven times, Then Lamech seventy-seven times!”

2537Adam 38had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him 39Seth, for, she said, “God 40has appointed me another 41child in place of Abel, 42because Cain killed him.” 26To Seth also 43a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then people began 44to call 45upon the name of the Lord.