The Apostolic Fathers Vol. 1: Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache

use their citizenship worthily of Christ, but each goes according to the lusts of his wicked heart, and has revived the unrighteousness and impious envy, by which also “death came into the world.”

IV

Examples of jealousy. Cain and Abel

1. 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. 2. And God looked on Abel and his gifts, but he had no respect to Cain and his sacrifices. 3. And Cain was greatly grieved and his countenance fell. 4. 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?This is unintelligible, and does not agree with the Hebrew, which is also unintelligible. It is dealt with at length in all commentaries on Genesis. 5. Be still: he shall turn to thee, and thou shalt rule over him. 6. 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.” 7. You see, brethren,—jealousy and envy wrought fratricide.

Jacob and Esau

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

Joseph

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

Moses

10. Jealousy forced Moses to fly from the face of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, when his fellow countryman