Page:The Holy Bible Vol 1 (Thomson).djvu/16

Ch. IV. And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from God." And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel became a keeper of sheep, and Cain tilled the ground. And when in process of time Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to the Lord, and Abel also brought, he indeed of the firstlings of his flock even some of the fattest of them, God looked upon Abel and on his gifts; but upon Cain and upon his sacrifices he did not look with regard. Thereupon Cain was exceedingly grieved and his countenance became dejected. And the Lord God said to Cain, "Why art thou become sorrowful and why is thy countenance dejected?" Though thou hast offered right, yet if thou hast not rightly divided, hast thou not sinned? Be composed. To thee shall be his recourse, and thou shalt rule over him."

Then Cain said to Abel his brother, "Let us go into the plain." And when they were in the plain, Cain rose upon Abel his brother and slew him. And when the Lord God said to Cain, "Where is Abel thy brother?" he said I know not. Am I my brother's keeper? Then the Lord said, "What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me out of the ground. Now therefore thou art cursed from this land, which hath opened its mouth to receive the blood of thy brother from thy hand. When thou tillest the ground, it will not henceforth yield thee its strength. Thou shalt be in a state of anguish and terror in this land." And Cain said to the Lord God, "Is my fault too great to be forgiven? If thou castest me out this day from the face of this land and I be hid from thy presence and be in a state of anguish and terror in the land, it will come to pass that whoever findeth me will kill me." And the Lord said to him, "Not so. Whosoever killeth Cain shall suffer seven fold vengeance." And the Lord God gave a sign to Cain, that whoever found him would not kill him. So Cain went out from the presence of God and dwelt in the land of Naid over against Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Enoch. And he employed himself in building a city and he called the city Enoch after his son's name. And to Enoch was born Gaidad; and Gaidad begot Maleleel, and Maleleel begot Mathousala, and Mathousala