--- title: "Genesis 4 — World English Bible | Favorite Scriptures" description: "Read Genesis 4 in the World English Bible. Free Bible reading, no account needed. Browse books and chapters, then save favorite passages in your personal library." last_updated: "2026-10-08" doc_version: "1" language: "en" canonical: "https://favoritescriptures.com/bible/genesis/4" --- [Home](/)/[Bible](/bible)/[Genesis](/bible/genesis)/4 World English Bible # Genesis 4 [1](#verse-1) The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with the LORD’s help.” [2](#verse-2) Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3](#verse-3) As time passed, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground. [4](#verse-4) Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering, [5](#verse-5) but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. [6](#verse-6) The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? [7](#verse-7) If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” [8](#verse-8) Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. [9](#verse-9) The LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” [10](#verse-10) The LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. [11](#verse-11) Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. [12](#verse-12) From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” [13](#verse-13) Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14](#verse-14) Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.” [15](#verse-15) The LORD said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” The LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him. [16](#verse-16) Cain left the LORD’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. [17](#verse-17) Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and named the city after the name of his son, Enoch. [18](#verse-18) Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. [19](#verse-19) Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. [20](#verse-20) Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. [21](#verse-21) His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. [22](#verse-22) Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah. [23](#verse-23) Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. [24](#verse-24) If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.” [25](#verse-25) Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” [26](#verse-26) A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the LORD’s name. [← Genesis 3](/bible/genesis/3)[Genesis 5 →](/bible/genesis/5) World English Bible · Public domain ## Keep what speaks to you. Create a free library to save passages, highlight verses, and keep your study notes together. [Start your free library](/login?mode=signup) ## Sitemap See the [complete sitemap](/sitemap.md).