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Genesis 4-6
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Cain Murders Abel

4 Adam was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.”[a] 2 Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord.(A) 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.(B) The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,(C) 5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.[b]

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious?(D) And why do you look despondent?[c] 7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”(E)

8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.(F)

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

10 Then He said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!(G) 11 So now you are cursed, alienated, from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood you have shed.[e] 12 If you work the ground, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”(H)

13 But Cain answered the Lord, “My punishment[f] is too great to bear! 14 Since You are banishing me today from the soil, and I must hide myself from Your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”(I)

15 Then the Lord replied to him, “In that case,[g] whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.”[h] And He placed a mark(J) on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him. 16 Then Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

The Line of Cain

17 Cain was intimate with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. 18 Irad was born to Enoch, Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 Lamech took two wives for himself, one named Adah and the other named Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of the nomadic herdsmen.[i] 21 His brother was named Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and the flute. 22 Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Tubal-cain’s sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives:

Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words.
For I killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times over,
then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!

25 Adam was intimate with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for she said, “God has given[j] me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 A son was born to Seth(K) also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of Yahweh.(L)

The Line of Seth

5 These are the family[k] records(M) of the descendants of Adam. On the day that God created man,[l] He made him in the likeness of God; 2 He created them male and female. When they were created, He blessed them and called them man.[m]

3 Adam was 130 years old when he fathered a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 Adam lived 800 years after the birth of Seth, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 5 So Adam’s life lasted 930 years; then he died.

6 Seth was 105 years old when he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived 807 years after the birth of Enosh, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 8 So Seth’s life lasted 912 years; then he died.

9 Enosh was 90 years old when he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived 815 years after the birth of Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 11 So Enosh’s life lasted 905 years; then he died.

12 Kenan was 70 years old when he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived 840 years after the birth of Mahalalel, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 14 So Kenan’s life lasted 910 years; then he died.

15 Mahalalel was 65 years old when he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived 830 years after the birth of Jared, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 17 So Mahalalel’s life lasted 895 years; then he died.

18 Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 20 So Jared’s life lasted 962 years; then he died.

21 Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. 22 And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God(N) 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. 23 So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.(O)

25 Methuselah was 187 years old when he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived 782 years after the birth of Lamech, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 27 So Methuselah’s life lasted 969 years; then he died.

28 Lamech was 182 years old when he fathered a son. 29 And he named him Noah,[n] saying, “This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands, caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.”(P) 30 Lamech lived 595 years after Noah’s birth, and he fathered other sons and daughters. 31 So Lamech’s life lasted 777 years; then he died.

32 Noah was 500 years old, and he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Sons of God and Daughters of Men

6 When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God(Q) saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives[o] for themselves.(R) 3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain[p] with[q] mankind forever,(S) because they are corrupt.[r](T) Their days will be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim[s] were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men.

Judgment Decreed

5 When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time,(U) 6 the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth,(V) and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” 8 Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord.(W)

God Warns Noah

9 These are the family records(X) of Noah. Noah was a righteous man,(Y) blameless among his contemporaries;(Z) Noah walked with God.(AA) 10 And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness.[t] 12 God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth.(AB) 13 Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness[u] because of them; therefore I am going to destroy them along with the earth.

14 “Make yourself an ark of gopher[v] wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch inside and outside. 15 This is how you are to make it: The ark will be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.[w] 16 You are to make a roof,[x] finishing the sides of the ark to within 18 inches[y] of the roof. You are to put a door in the side of the ark. Make it with lower, middle, and upper decks.

17 “Understand that I am bringing a flood—floodwaters on the earth(AC) to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you,(AD) and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives. 19 You are also to bring into the ark two of all the living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of everything—from the birds according to their kinds, from the livestock according to their kinds, and from the animals that crawl on the ground according to their kinds—will come to you so that you can keep them alive. 21 Take with you every kind of food that is eaten; gather it as food for you and for them.” 22 And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him.(AE)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 4:1 Lit the Lord
  2. Genesis 4:5 Lit and his face fell
  3. Genesis 4:6 Lit why has your face fallen
  4. Genesis 4:8 Sam, LXX, Syr, Vg; MT omits Let’s go out to the field
  5. Genesis 4:11 Lit blood from your hand
  6. Genesis 4:13 Or sin
  7. Genesis 4:15 LXX, Syr, Vg read Not so!
  8. Genesis 4:15 Or suffer severely
  9. Genesis 4:20 Lit the dweller of tent and livestock
  10. Genesis 4:25 The Hb word for given sounds like the name “Seth.”
  11. Genesis 5:1 Lit written family
  12. Genesis 5:1 Or Adam
  13. Genesis 5:2 Or Adam
  14. Genesis 5:29 In Hb, the name Noah sounds like the phrase “bring us relief.”
  15. Genesis 6:2 Or women
  16. Genesis 6:3 Or strive
  17. Genesis 6:3 Or in
  18. Genesis 6:3 Lit flesh
  19. Genesis 6:4 Possibly means “fallen ones”; traditionally, “giants”; Nm 13:31-33
  20. Genesis 6:11 Or injustice
  21. Genesis 6:13 Or injustice
  22. Genesis 6:14 Unknown species of tree; perhaps pine or cypress
  23. Genesis 6:15 Or 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high
  24. Genesis 6:16 Or window, or hatch; Hb uncertain
  25. Genesis 6:16 Lit to a cubit
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Genesis 4-6
New International Version

Cain and Abel

4 Adam[a] made love to his wife(A) Eve,(B) and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.[b](C) She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[c] a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.(D)

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.(E) 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering(F) to the Lord.(G) 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions(H) from some of the firstborn of his flock.(I) The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,(J) 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry?(K) Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;(L) it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.(M)”

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.(N)

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”(O)

“I don’t know,(P)” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.(Q) 11 Now you are under a curse(R) and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you.(S) You will be a restless wanderer(T) on the earth.(U)”

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence;(V) I will be a restless wanderer on the earth,(W) and whoever finds me will kill me.”(X)

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so[e]; anyone who kills Cain(Y) will suffer vengeance(Z) seven times over.(AA)” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence(AB) and lived in the land of Nod,[f] east of Eden.(AC)

17 Cain made love to his wife,(AD) and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city,(AE) and he named it after his son(AF) Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

19 Lamech married(AG) two women,(AH) one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments(AI) and pipes.(AJ) 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged(AK) all kinds of tools out of[g] bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives,

“Adah and Zillah, listen to me;
    wives of Lamech, hear my words.
I have killed(AL) a man for wounding me,
    a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged(AM) seven times,(AN)
    then Lamech seventy-seven times.(AO)”

25 Adam made love to his wife(AP) again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth,[h](AQ) saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”(AR) 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.(AS)

At that time people began to call on[i] the name of the Lord.(AT)

From Adam to Noah

5 This is the written account(AU) of Adam’s family line.(AV)

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.(AW) 2 He created them(AX) male and female(AY) and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind”[j] when they were created.

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image;(AZ) and he named him Seth.(BA) 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.(BB)

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father[k] of Enosh.(BC) 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan.(BD) 10 After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel.(BE) 13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared.(BF) 16 After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch.(BG) 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.(BH) 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God(BI) 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God;(BJ) then he was no more, because God took him away.(BK)

25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech.(BL) 26 After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah[l](BM) and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.(BN)” 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old,(BO) he became the father of Shem,(BP) Ham and Japheth.(BQ)

Wickedness in the World

6 When human beings began to increase in number on the earth(BR) and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God(BS) saw that the daughters(BT) of humans were beautiful,(BU) and they married(BV) any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit(BW) will not contend with[m] humans forever,(BX) for they are mortal[n];(BY) their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

4 The Nephilim(BZ) were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans(CA) and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.(CB)

5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth,(CC) and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.(CD) 6 The Lord regretted(CE) that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth(CF) the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.(CG)” 8 But Noah(CH) found favor in the eyes of the Lord.(CI)

Noah and the Flood

9 This is the account(CJ) of Noah and his family.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless(CK) among the people of his time,(CL) and he walked faithfully with God.(CM) 10 Noah had three sons: Shem,(CN) Ham and Japheth.(CO)

11 Now the earth was corrupt(CP) in God’s sight and was full of violence.(CQ) 12 God saw how corrupt(CR) the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.(CS) 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy(CT) both them and the earth.(CU) 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress[o] wood;(CV) make rooms in it and coat it with pitch(CW) inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.[p] 16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit[q] high all around.[r] Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters(CX) on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.(CY) 18 But I will establish my covenant with you,(CZ) and you will enter the ark(DA)—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.(DB) 20 Two(DC) of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind(DD) of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.(DE) 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.(DF)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 4:1 Or The man
  2. Genesis 4:1 Cain sounds like the Hebrew for brought forth or acquired.
  3. Genesis 4:1 Or have acquired
  4. Genesis 4:8 Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; Masoretic Text does not have “Let’s go out to the field.”
  5. Genesis 4:15 Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew Very well
  6. Genesis 4:16 Nod means wandering (see verses 12 and 14).
  7. Genesis 4:22 Or who instructed all who work in
  8. Genesis 4:25 Seth probably means granted.
  9. Genesis 4:26 Or to proclaim
  10. Genesis 5:2 Hebrew adam
  11. Genesis 5:6 Father may mean ancestor; also in verses 7-26.
  12. Genesis 5:29 Noah sounds like the Hebrew for comfort.
  13. Genesis 6:3 Or My spirit will not remain in
  14. Genesis 6:3 Or corrupt
  15. Genesis 6:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  16. Genesis 6:15 That is, about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high or about 135 meters long, 23 meters wide and 14 meters high
  17. Genesis 6:16 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  18. Genesis 6:16 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
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