Bible verse

1 John 3:12

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

1 John 3:12 · BSB

1 John 3:12 in context

The verses around it, from 1 John 3.

8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Read all of 1 John 3

1 John 3:12 in other translations

KJV

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.

ASV

not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

ERV

not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Newsletter

Scripture in your inbox

A short reading and some honest encouragement, most weekday mornings — no noise, no selling, unsubscribe in one click.

← 1 John 3:11 All of 1 John 3 1 John 3:13 →

Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.