Genesis 4

Cain and Abel

1The human had sexual relations with his wife Eve. She conceived and gave birth to Cain, saying, “With the LORD's help I have brought forth a man.” 2She gave birth again, to his brother Abel. Abel became a shepherd, while Cain worked the ground.

3After some time, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the produce of the ground. 4Abel also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5but not on Cain and his offering. Cain became very angry, and his face fell.

6The LORD asked Cain, “Why are you so angry? Why has your face fallen? 7If you do what is good, will you not be lifted up? But if you do not do what is good, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

Cain Kills Abel

8Cain spoke to his brother Abel. While they were out in the field, Cain attacked his brother and killed him.

9The LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know,” he answered. “Am I supposed to guard my brother?”

10The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you. You will wander restlessly over the earth.”

13Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14Today you have driven me from the ground, and I will be hidden from your presence. I will wander restlessly over the earth, and anyone who finds me may kill me.”

15The LORD answered, “Then anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” The LORD gave Cain a sign, so that no one who found him would strike him down. 16Cain left the LORD's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Cain’s Descendants

17Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named it Enoch after his son.

18Enoch became the father of Irad; Irad became the father of Mehujael; Mehujael became the father of Methushael; and Methushael became the father of Lamech.

19Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to Jabal, the ancestor of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21His brother's name was Jubal, the ancestor of all who play the lyre and pipe. 22Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, a forger of all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Tubal-cain's sister was Naamah.

23Lamech said to his wives,
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice!
Wives of Lamech, listen to my words!
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me. 24If Cain is avenged seven times over,
then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Seth and Enosh

25Adam had sexual relations with his wife again. She gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has appointed another offspring for me in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26Seth also had a son, whom he named Enosh. At that time people began calling on the name of the LORD.