(Cain:) “Am I my brother’s keeper?” said the firstborn son of man,
“Must I tend and guard and lead him? Must I serve him as I can?
Am I required to sacrifice and to forfeit time and wealth
That my brother may have clothes and food and life and joy and health?” (Gen 4:9)
(The Father:) “Sin is crouching at your doorstep,” said the Father’s love divine,
“It will soon become your master; you will be no longer Mine.
It will summon strong My righteous wrath; it will cast you out alone
When your brother’s righteous blood cries out for vengeance from My throne.” (Gen 4:6)
(The Savior:) “I am my brother’s keeper,” said the Firstborn of the Lord,
“I will tend and guard and lead him on the pastures of My word;
I will sacrifice Myself for him; I will give up all I own
That my brother may have life with Me and share My royal throne!” (Jn 10:11)
(My soul:) If my eyes behold my Savior, if the Lamb says, “Follow Me,”
But my brother does not know Him, does not hear His tender plea,
Shall I not go and search him out and invite him: “Come and see”?
Shall I not bring him to the One who died to set him free? (Jn 1:43-46)
If my brother is o’ertaken and is caught in Satan’s snare,
Shall my spirit not be gentle and my words be full of care?
If the world in heartless rage and wrath cast upon him spite and stone,
Let me bear my brother’s burden as my Savior bore my own! (Gal 6:1-2)
(The Savior:) “You were your brother’s keeper,” says the Lord on Judgment Day,
“You did tend and guard and lead him; you did help him on his way;
You did sacrifice yourself for him; you did clothe and cheer and feed;
What you did for this My brother here, you have done for Me indeed.” (Mt 25:40)
