The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, in accordance with the Lord's directions. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the Lord's direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded with his 72 brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but his entreaties only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will. As the eldest, he felt above being admonished by his brother, and despised his counsel.

De to brødre byggede deres altre på samme måde, og begge bragte et offer. Abel frembar et offer af sin hjord i overensstemmelse med Herrens forskrifter. "Og Herren så til Abel og til hans offergave." Der kom ild ned fra himmelen og fortærede offeret. Men Kain tilsidesatte Guds ligefremme og tydelige befaling og ofrede kun frugt. Der kom intet tegn fra himmelen på, at dette offer var antaget. Abel tryglede sin broder om at træde frem for Gud på den foreskrevne måde, men hans bønner bevirkede, at Kain blot blev endnu fastere besluttet på at følge sin egen vilje. Som den ældste følte han sig hævet over formaninger fra sin broders side, og han foragtede hans råd.