The Holy Bible · Genesis

Genesis 4

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1Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain. She said, “I have acquired a human through God.”

2She bore again, his brother Abel. Abel became a shepherd of sheep, while Cain worked the earth.

3After some days Cain brought a sacrifice to the Lord from the fruits of the earth.

4Abel also brought from the firstborn of his sheep and from their fat portions. God looked upon Abel and his gifts,

5but He paid no attention to Cain and his sacrifices. Cain was deeply grieved, and his face fell.

6The Lord God said to Cain, “Why have you become deeply grieved, and why has your face fallen?

7If you offer correctly but do not divide correctly, have you not sinned? Be still; his turning is toward you, and you shall rule over him.”

8Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out into the plain.” While they were in the plain, Cain rose against Abel his brother and killed him.

9God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10God said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to Me from the earth.

11Now you are cursed from the earth, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

12For you will work the earth, and it will no longer give you its strength. You shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth.”

13Cain said to the Lord, “My guilt is too great for me to be forgiven.

14If You drive me today from the face of the earth, I shall be hidden from Your face and shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15The Lord God said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will discharge seven acts of vengeance.” The Lord God set a sign for Cain, so that whoever found him would not kill him.

16Cain went out from the presence of God and settled in the land of Nod, opposite Eden.

17Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. He was building a city and named the city after his son Enoch.

18To Enoch was born Gaidad; Gaidad begat Maiel, Maiel begat Mathousala, and Mathousala begat Lamech.

19Lamech took two wives for himself; the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

20Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of livestock breeders who dwell in tents.

21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the one who introduced the harp and lyre.

22Zillah also bore Tubal; he was a hammering smith of bronze and iron. Tubal’s sister was Naamah.

23Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, give ear to my words. I have killed a man for a wound to me, a young man for a bruise to me.

24For vengeance has been exacted seven times from Cain, but from Lamech seventy times seven.”

25Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has raised up another offspring for me in place of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

26A son was born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. He hoped to call upon the name of the Lord God.

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · working draft awaiting specialist review.