Genesis 4

Cain and Abel

1Now the man knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man with the LORD.” 2And again she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a worker of the ground.

3And in the course of time Cain brought from the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD. 4And Abel also brought from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the LORD looked with favor upon Abel and his offering, 5but upon Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain became very angry, and his face fell.

6The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7If you do well, will there not be lifting up? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

Cain Murders Abel

8Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother 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?” 10And he said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground. 11And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you work the ground, it will no longer give its strength to you. A fugitive and a wanderer you shall be on the earth.”

13Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14See, you have driven me today from the face of the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15Then the LORD said to him, “Not so. Whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD set a sign for Cain, so that no one who found him would strike him down. 16Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Cain’s Descendants

17Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. He was building a city, and he called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch. 18To 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 bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and pipe. 22Zillah also bore Tubal-cain, forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
wives of Lamech, listen to my speech:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me. 24If Cain is avenged sevenfold,
then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Seth and Enosh

25And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” 26To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.