- Scripture
Genesis 4:1-16
1Now the man 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 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 was gloomy. 6Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face gloomy? 7If you do well, will your face not be 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 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 placed a mark on Cain, so that no one finding him would kill him. 16Then Cain left the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.