First Book of Adam and Eve Part 23

20 Then G.o.d said to Cain, "Whoever finds you will not kill you;"

because before this, G.o.d had been saying to Cain, "I shall put seven punishments on anyone that kills Cain." For as to the word of G.o.d to Cain, "Where is your brother?" G.o.d said it in mercy for him, to try and make him repent.

21 For if Cain had repented at that time, and had said, "O G.o.d, forgive me my sin, and the murder of my brother," G.o.d would then have forgiven him his sin.

22 And as to G.o.d saying to Cain, "Cursed be the ground that has drunk the blood of your brother." That also, was G.o.d's mercy on Cain. For G.o.d did not curse him, but He cursed the ground; although it was not the ground that had killed Abel, and committed a wicked sin.

23 For it was fitting that the curse should fall on the murderer; yet in mercy did G.o.d so manage His thoughts as that no one should know it, and turn away from Cain.

24 And He said to him, "Where is your brother?" To which he answered and said, "I know not." Then the Creator said to him, "Be trembling and quaking."

25 Then Cain trembled and became terrified; and through this sign did G.o.d make him an example before all the creation, as the murderer of his brother. Also did G.o.d bring trembling and terror over him, that he might see the peace in which he was at first, and see also the trembling and terror he endured at the last; so that he might humble himself before G.o.d, and repent of his sin, and seek the peace that he enjoyed at first.

26 And in the word of G.o.d that said, "I will put seven punishments on anyone who kills Cain," G.o.d was not seeking to kill Cain with the sword, but He sought to make him die of fasting, and praying and crying by hard rule, until the time that he was delivered from his sin.

27 And the seven punishments are the seven generations during which G.o.d awaited Cain for the murder of his brother.

28 But as to Cain, ever since he had killed his brother, he could find no rest in any place; but went back to Adam and Eve, trembling, terrified, and defiled with blood... .