KJV ORIGINAL
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When you work the soil, it will no longer give you good crops. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is telling Cain that as punishment for killing his brother Abel, the ground won't produce crops for him anymore and he'll have to wander without a permanent home.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of God's judgment on Cain after he murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. In ancient agricultural societies, being unable to farm successfully and having no permanent home was a severe curse, essentially cutting someone off from community and livelihood. The pronouncement reflects the ancient belief that the land itself responds to moral actions.
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