Bible: Romans 3:21-26; 4:1-25; 5:12-21

3:21 But now 1  apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) 2  has been disclosed 3:22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ 3  for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 3:24 But they are justified 4  freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 3:25 God publicly displayed 5  him 6  at his death 7  as the mercy seat 8  accessible through faith. 9  This was to demonstrate 10  his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. 11  3:26 This was 12  also to demonstrate 13  his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just 14  and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesusfaithfulness. 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? 4:7 Is it not true 17  that if you do what is right, you will be fine? 18  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching 19  at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.” 20 

4:8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” 21  While they were in the field, Cain attacked 22  his brother 23  Abel and killed him.

4:9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” 24  And he replied, “I don’t know! Am I my brother’s guardian? 25  4:10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? 26  The voice 27  of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! 4:11 So now, you are banished 28  from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 4:12 When you try to cultivate 29  the

ground it will no longer yield 30  its best 31  for you. You will be a homeless wanderer 32  on the earth.” 4:13 Then Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment 33  is too great to endure! 34  4:14 Look! You are driving me off the land 35  today, and I must hide from your presence. 36  I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth; whoever finds me will kill me.” 4:15 But the Lord said to him, “All right then, 37  if anyone kills Cain, Cain will be avenged seven times as much.” 38  Then the Lord put a special mark 39  on Cain so that no one who found him would strike him down. 40  4:16 So Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and lived in the land of Nod, 41  east of Eden.

The Beginning of Civilization

4:17 Cain had marital relations 42  with his wife, and she became pregnant 43  and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named the city after 44  his son Enoch. 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father 45  of Mehujael. Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

4:19 Lamech took two wives for himself; the name of the first was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the first 46  of those who live in tents and keep 47  livestock. 4:21 The name of his brother was Jubal; he was the first of all who play the harp and the flute. 4:22 Now Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-Cain, who heated metal and shaped 48  all kinds of tools made of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

4:23 Lamech said to his wives,

Adah and Zillah! Listen to me!

You wives of Lamech, hear my words!

I have killed a man for wounding me,

a young man 49  for hurting me.

4:24 If Cain is to be avenged seven times as much,

then Lamech seventy-seven times! 50 

4:25 And Adam had marital relations 51  with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth, saying, “God has given 52  me another child 53  in place of Abel because Cain killed him.”

5:12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 5:13 Kenan lived 840 years after he became the father of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:14 The entire lifetime of Kenan was 910 years, and then he died.

5:15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 5:16 Mahalalel lived 830 years after he became the father of Jared, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:17 The entire lifetime of Mahalalel was 895 years, and then he died.

5:18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 5:19 Jared lived 800 years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:20 The entire lifetime of Jared was 962 years, and then he died.

5:21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.

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