Verses to review today: 1 John 3:3-3:11
New Verse: 1 John 3:12

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We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. (ESV)

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (KJV)

Greek: οὐ καθὼς Κάϊν ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἦν καὶ ἔσφαξεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ• καὶ χάριν τίνος ἔσφαξεν αὐτόν; ὅτι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ πονηρὰ ἦν τὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ δίκαια.

Transliterated Greek: ou kathōs Kain ek tou ponērou ēn kai esphaxen ton adelphon autou• kai charin tinos esphaxen auton; hoti ta erga autou ponēra ēn ta de tou adelphou autou dikaia.

Literal Word for Word Translation: not as Cain who was of the evil one and had slaughtered his brother. And on account of what had he slaughtered him? Because his deeds were evil and those of his brother righteous.

Vocab: τοῦ πονηροῦ, tou ponērou, of the evil one; ἔσφαξεν, esphaxen, he had slaughtered; ἔργα, erga, works/deeds.

Commentary: Cain murdered his brother because Abel’s righteousness showed Cain’s unrighteousness for what it was. If we keep to righteousness, we will not be tempted to do what Cain did. We will not have anything to conceal or hide. Even David murdered in order to hide a work of unrighteousness. Always love one another in way that there is never envy.