Genesis 4:1–8

Cain and Abel

4 Adama made love to his wifez Eve,a and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.b b She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forthc a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.c

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.d 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offeringe to the Lord.f 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portionsg from some of the firstborn of his flock.h The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,i 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry?j Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;k it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.l”

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”d While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.m