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First Epistle to the Corinthians

St Clement of Rome, Lake, Loeb 1912

Chapter 4

Examples of jealousy. Cain and Abel

For it is written thus:—“And it came to pass after certain days that Cain offered to God a sacrifice of the fruits of the earth, and Abel himself also offered of the first-born of the sheep and of their fat.”

“And God looked on Abel and his gifts, but he had no respect to Cain and his sacrifices.”

“And Cain was greatly grieved and his countenance fell.”

“And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou offeredst rightly, but didst not divide rightly, didst thou not sin?¹”

“Be still: he shall turn to thee, and thou shalt rule over him.”

“And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go unto the plain. And it came to pass that, while they were in the plain, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.”

You see, brethren,—jealousy and envy wrought fratricide.

Jacob and Esau

Through jealousy our father Jacob ran from the face of Esau his brother.

Joseph

Jealousy made Joseph to be persecuted to the death, and come into slavery.

Moses

Jealousy forced Moses to fly from the face of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, when his fellow countryman said to him, “Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? Wouldest thou slay me as thou didst slay the Egyptian yesterday?”

Aaron and Miriam

Through jealousy Aaron and Miriam were lodged outside the camp.

Dathan and Abiram

Jealousy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive into Hades, because they rebelled against Moses the servant of God.

David

Through jealousy David incurred envy not only from strangers, but suffered persecution even from Saul, King of Israel.

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