Genesis 4:1-8

Contemporary English Version

Cain Murders Abel

4 Adam^[a] and Eve had a son. Then Eve said, “I'll name him Cain because I got^[b] him with the help of the Lord.” ² Later she had another son and named him Abel.

Abel became a sheep farmer, but Cain farmed the land. ³ One day, Cain gave part of his harvest to the Lord, ^4 (A) and Abel also gave an offering to the Lord. He killed the first-born lamb from one of his sheep and gave the Lord the best parts of it. The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, ⁵ but not with Cain and his offering. This made Cain so angry that he could not hide his feelings.

⁶ The Lord said to Cain:

What's wrong with you? Why do you look so angry? ⁷ If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling.^[c] But you did the wrong thing, and now sin is waiting to attack you like a lion. Sin wants to destroy you, but don't let it!

^8 (B) Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let's go for a walk.”^[d] And when they were out in a field, Cain attacked and killed him.