²⁶ Then God said, “Let us^(A) make man^[a] in^[b] our image, according to our likeness.^(B) They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl^[c] on the earth.”^(C)

²⁸ God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth,^(E) and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

God’s Covenant with Noah

9 God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.^{(A) 2} The fear and terror of you will be in every living creature on the earth, every bird of the sky, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are placed under your authority. ³ Every creature that lives and moves will be food for you;^(B) as I gave the green plants, I have given you everything.^{(C) 4} However, you must not eat meat with its lifeblood in it.^{(D) 5} And I will require a penalty for your lifeblood;^[a] I will require it from any animal^(E) and from any human; if someone murders a fellow human, I will require that person’s life.^(F)

⁷ But you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out over the earth and multiply on it.”^(I)

¹¹ God also said to him, “I am God Almighty.^(A) Be fruitful and multiply.^(B) A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will come from you,^(C) and kings will descend from you.^[a](D)