Cain and Abel

¹ Adam had sex with Eve his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Cain.

Eve

I have gotten a man from Enlil.

² She again gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

³ In time, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering for Enlil.

⁴ Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.

Enlil had respect for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but not for Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry. He looked despondent.

⁶ Enlil said to Cain:

Enlil

Why are you angry? Why do you look despondent? ⁷ If you do [your offering] well, then you will be accepted. If not, then sin is at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must overcome it.

⁸ Cain talked with Abel. When they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel and slew him.

⁹ Enlil asked Cain where Abel is. He said:

Cain

I do not know: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Enlil

¹⁰ What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cried to me from the ground. ¹¹ Now you are cursed from the earth, which had opened her mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² When you till the ground, it shall not yield to you her strength. You will be a fugitive and vagabond on the earth.

Cain

¹³ My punishment is greater than I can bear. ¹⁴ You have driven me out this day from the face of the earth. From your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth. Every one that finds me shall slay me.

Enlil

¹⁵ Whoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.

Enlil set a mark upon Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

¹⁶ So Cain went out from the presence of Enki, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

¹⁷ Cain had sex with his wife and she conceived Enoch. Cain built a city named Enoch after his son.