CHAPTER XVIII 3.

OF ADAM’S KNOWING EVE.

WHENAdam and Eve went forth from Paradise, they were both virgins. After thirty years Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceivedand brought forth Cain together with his sisterKelêmath at one birth 1.And after thirty years Eve conceived and brought forth Abel and Lebôdâ his sister at one birth. And when they arrived at the age for marriage, Adam wished and intended to give Abel’s sister to Cain andCain’s sister to Abel; but Cain desired his own sister more than Abel’s 1.Both (i.e.Kelêmath and Lebôdâ) were his sisters, but because of their birth at one time I have called them thus. Now Cain’s sister was exceedingly beautiful. The two brothers made an offering to God because of this matter. Abel, because he was a shepherd, offered up of the fat firstlings of his flock in great love, with a pure heart and a sincere mind. Cain, because he was a husbandman, made an offering of some of the refuse of the fruits of his husbandry with reluctance. He made an offering of ears of wheat that we