5 But every one follows his own wicked lusts: having taken up an unjust and wicked envy, by which death first entered into the world.
CHAPTER III.
Envy and emulation the original of all strife and disorder. Examples of the mischiefs they have occasioned.
FOR thus it is written, And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof:
2 And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering. But unto Cain and unto his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very sorrowful, and his countenance fell.
3 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou sorrowful? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou shalt offer aright, but not divide aright, hast thou not sinned? Hold thy peace: unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
4 And Cain said unto Abel his brother, Let us go down into the field. And it came to pass, as they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
5 Ye see, brethren, how envy and emulation wrought the death of a brother. For this, our father Jacob fled from the face of his brother Esau.
6 It was this that caused Joseph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy forced "Moses to flee from the face of Pharoah king of Egypt, when he heard, his own countryman ask him, "Who made thee a Judge, and a ruler over us? Wilt thou kill me as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?
7 Through envy Aaron and Miriam were shut out of the camp, from the rest of the congregation seven days.