(Genesis 2:4–3:24)
The earth was young, and God formed a special place unlike any other — a garden in Eden. Rivers flowed through it, trees blossomed with beauty and fruit, and the air was alive with peace. In the midst of the garden stood two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
From the dust of the ground, God shaped a man and breathed into him the breath of life. The man opened his eyes — the first human, called Adam. God placed Adam in Eden to care for it. Yet God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. So, while Adam slept, God took one of his ribs and formed a woman, Eve, and brought her to him. Together, they lived in harmony, unashamed and free.
But the serpent, cunning and sly, whispered deceit. It told Eve, "If you eat from the forbidden tree, you will not die — you will become like God, knowing good and evil." Tempted by the thought, Eve ate, and gave to Adam, who ate also.
In that moment, their eyes were opened. Shame wrapped around them like chains. They sewed fig leaves for clothing and hid from God among the trees. When God called, "Where are you?" they trembled. The bond between Creator and creation had been broken.
God spoke judgment:
To the serpent: "Cursed are you… upon your belly you shall go. And the seed of the woman will one day crush your head."
To the woman: "In pain you shall bear children, and your desire will be for your husband."
To the man: "The ground is cursed because of you; by sweat and toil you will eat from it, until you return to the dust."
Then God clothed them in garments of skin — a sign that innocence was lost. He banished them from Eden, setting cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
Humanity's story had begun, but no longer in paradise.