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Berean Standard Bible

“Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.”

Genesis 4:23

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Study note

Lamech, a descendant of Cain, addresses his two wives in a short poem. It is the first poem in the Bible, but it is a boast about violence.

Open Study notes above for the full note.

Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

World English Bible (WEB)

Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

King James Version (KJV)

And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

American Standard Version (ASV)

And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me:

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, give ear to my voice; you wives of Lamech, give attention to my words, for I would put a man to death for a wound, and a young man for a blow;

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Y dijo Lamech á sus mujeres: Ada y Zilla, oid mi voz; mujeres de Lamech, escuchad mi dicho: que varón mataré por mi herida, y mancebo por mi golpe:

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

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Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

Un día, Lamec les dijo a sus esposas: «¡Escúchenme, mujeres de Lamec! ¡Oigan bien lo que les digo! A un hombre que me hirió, lo maté, y lo mismo hice con un muchacho que me golpeó.

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