1 Letter of Clement 4
1 For so it is written, And it came to pass after certain days that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God, and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of the sheep and of their fatness.
2 And God looked upon Abel and upon his gifts, but unto Cain and unto his sacrifices He gave no heed.
3 And Cain sorrowed exceedingly, and his countenance fell.
4 And God said unto Cain, Wherefore art thou very sorrowful and wherefore did thy countenance fall? If thou hast offered aright and hast not divided aright, didst thou not sin? Hold thy peace.
5 Unto thee shall he turn, and thou shalt rule over him. {This last phrase has also been translated: Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it.}
6 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, Let us go over unto the plain. And it came to pass, while they Were in the plain, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.
7 Ye see, brethren, jealousy and envy wrought a brother's murder.
8 By reason of jealousy our father Jacob ran away from the face of Esau his brother.
9 Jealousy caused Joseph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come even unto bondage.
10 Jealousy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt while it was said to him by his own countryman, Who made thee a judge or a decider over us, Wouldest thou slay me, even as yesterday thou slewest the Egyptian?
11 By reason of jealousy Aaron and Miriam were lodged outside the camp.
12 Jealousy brought Dathan and Abiram down alive to hades, because they made sedition against Moses the servant of God.
13 By reason of jealousy David was envied not only by the Philistines, but was persecuted also by Saul [king of Israel].
