Cain and Abel

1Now the man [a]had 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 Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a cultivator of the ground. 3So it came about [b]in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground. 4Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering; 5but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face [c]was gloomy. 6Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face [d]gloomy? 7If you do well, [e]will your face not be [f]cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8Cain [g]talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

9Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10Then He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you 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 driven me this day from the face of the ground; and I will be hidden from Your face, and I will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15So the LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him seven times as much.” And the LORD [h]placed a mark on Cain, so that no one finding him would kill him.

16Then Cain left the presence of the LORD, and [i]settled in the land of [j]Nod, east of Eden.

17Cain [k]had 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 two 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,

For I have killed a man for wounding me;

And a boy for striking me!

24“If Cain is avenged seven times,

Then Lamech seventy-seven times!”

25Adam [l]had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him [m]Seth, for, she said, “God [n]has appointed me another [o]child in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” 26To Seth also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then people began to call [p]upon the name of the LORD.