Genesis 4:1-10 ▼

1 The man had intercourse with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, saying, “I have produced a male child with the help of the LORD.”

2 Next she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel became a herder of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the ground.

3 In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground,

4 while Abel, for his part, brought the fatty portion of the firstlings of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and dejected.

6 Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected?

7 If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it.

8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 God then said: What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!