O Lord, let me like Abel bring the fattest of the first,
Lest lapsing into apathy I make the blessing cursed:
For Cain saw only duty, not the Source of duty's joy
And shamed by Abel's fervor, sought all fervor to destroy.

But Cain is rightly called a fool by those who know Your grace,
Who wonder at a man rebuked who would not seek Your face:
For there alone his pardon lay, and there he would not turn,
But blamed his brother's innocence and let his envy burn.

Let me not scorn the righteous for the favor they obtain,
But seek through faith in Your salvation faithful to remain:
For Abel saw what Cain could not, the offering supreme
Of God to God for man, our feeblest off'rings to redeem.