2:7 So you who believe see 1 his value, 2 but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the 3 cornerstone, 4 2:8 and a stumbling-stone 5 and a rock to trip over. 6 They stumble 7 because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 8 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues 9 of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 2:10 You 10 once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, 11 but now you have received mercy. 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 2:12 and maintain good conduct 12 among the non-Christians, 13 so that though 14 they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. 15
The Story of Cain and Abel
4:1 Now 1 the man had marital relations with 2 his wife Eve, and she became pregnant 3 and gave birth to Cain. Then she said, “I have created 4 a man just as the Lord did!” 5 4:2 Then she gave birth 6 to his brother Abel. 7 Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. 8
4:3 At the designated time 9 Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering 10 to the Lord. 4:4 But Abel brought 11 some of the firstborn of his flock – even the fattest 12 of them. And the Lord was pleased with 13 Abel and his offering, 4:5 but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. 14 So Cain became very angry, 15 and his expression was downcast. 16
4:6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?
