הֲלֹ֤וא אִם־תֵּיטִיב֙ שְׂאֵ֔ת וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב לַפֶּ֖תַח חַטָּ֣את רֹבֵ֑ץ וְאֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֹ֔ו וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּמְשָׁל־בֹּֽו׃
如果你行得正，豈不必得抬舉嗎？如果行不正，罪就伏在門口，對你有慾望，你卻必制伏它。
如果你行得正，岂不必得抬举吗？如果行不正，罪就伏在门口，对你有欲望，你却必制伏它。
Rúguǒ nǐ xíng dé zhèng, qǐ bù bì dé táijǔ ma? Rúguǒ xíng bù zhèng, zuì jiù fú zài ménkǒu, duì nǐ yǒu yùwàng, nǐ què bì zhì fú tā.
If you do well, shall you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And unto you shall be its desire, and you shall rule over it.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 如果 | Rúguǒ | If | Conjunction |
| 行得正 | xíng dé zhèng | Do well, act righteously | Verb phrase |
| 豈不 | qǐ bù | Wouldn’t it be? | Expression |
| 得 | dé | To obtain, to gain | Verb |
| 抬舉 | táijǔ | Lift up, honor | Verb |
| 罪 | zuì | Sin | Noun |
| 伏在 | fú zài | Lie at, lurk | Verb phrase |
| 門口 | ménkǒu | Doorway, entrance | Noun |
| 慾望 / 欲望 | yùwàng | Desire | Noun |
| 制伏 | zhì fú | Subdue, control | Verb phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 如果 (Rúguǒ): “If” is used at the beginning of a conditional clause, introducing the condition under which something will or will not happen.
- 行得正 (xíng dé zhèng): This phrase means “to do well” or “to act righteously,” indicating that a righteous action leads to a favorable outcome. “行” (xíng) means “to do,” and “得正” (dé zhèng) means “righteous” or “correct.”
- 豈不 (qǐ bù): An expression meaning “wouldn’t it be?” used here to indicate that if Cain does well, he will be accepted, emphasizing the natural result of good actions.
- 得 (dé): A verb meaning “to obtain” or “to gain,” showing that doing well will lead to a positive outcome (being accepted).
- 抬舉 (táijǔ): A verb meaning “to lift up” or “to honor,” reflecting God’s approval of the righteous act.
- 罪 (zuì): The noun “sin,” indicating that if Cain does not act righteously, sin will be present, ready to control him.
- 伏在 (fú zài): A verb phrase meaning “to lie at” or “lurk,” indicating that sin lies in wait, ready to take advantage of Cain’s emotions.
- 門口 (ménkǒu): A noun meaning “doorway” or “entrance,” symbolizing the boundary between righteousness and sin, with sin lying at the door, waiting to enter.
- 慾望 / 欲望 (yùwàng): A noun meaning “desire,” indicating that sin has a desire for Cain, tempting him to fall.
- 制伏 (zhì fú): A verb phrase meaning “to subdue” or “to control,” showing that Cain must master his emotions and desires to avoid falling into sin.
Key Grammar Points:
- 如果 (Rúguǒ): This conjunction is used for conditional clauses, introducing a situation that would lead to a particular outcome. In the context of Cain, it presents the choice he has to make.
- 行得正 (xíng dé zhèng): This phrase emphasizes doing what is right and just, which is central to the moral message in the passage.
- 豈不 (qǐ bù): A rhetorical question that implies an expected answer, showing that Cain’s actions can lead to divine favor if they are righteous.
- 制伏 (zhì fú): The command to control sin, a reminder of Cain’s need to master his desires and act responsibly.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xíng dé zhèng, qǐ bù bì dé táijǔ ma? Rúguǒ xíng bù zhèng, zuì jiù fú zài ménkǒu, duì nǐ yǒu yùwàng, nǐ què bì zhì fú tā.
Tone Practice:
- 如果 / 如果 (Rúguǒ): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 行得正 (xíng dé zhèng): 2nd tone (rising) + neutral tone + 4th tone (falling)
- 豈不 / 岂不 (qǐ bù): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 得 (dé): 2nd tone (rising)
- 抬舉 / 抬举 (táijǔ): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 罪 / 罪 (zuì): 4th tone (falling)
- 伏在 / 伏在 (fú zài): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 門口 / 门口 (ménkǒu): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 慾望 / 欲望 (yùwàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 制伏 / 制伏 (zhì fú): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 如果 / 如果 (Rúguǒ): “If,” used to introduce a condition. The character “如” (rú) means “like” or “as,” and “果” (guǒ) means “fruit,” which can symbolize the result or outcome of an action.
- 行得正 (xíng dé zhèng): “To do well” or “act righteously.” The character “行” (xíng) means “to walk” or “to do,” and “正” (zhèng) means “correct” or “righteous.”
- 豈不 / 岂不 (qǐ bù): A rhetorical question meaning “wouldn’t it be?” The character “豈” (qǐ) means “how” or “why,” and “不” (bù) means “not.”
- 罪 / 罪 (zuì): “Sin,” meaning wrongdoing or transgression. The character “罪” (zuì) represents wrongdoing or fault in Chinese.
- 伏在 / 伏在 (fú zài): “Lie at,” indicating something hidden or lying in wait. “伏” (fú) means “to lie down,” and “在” (zài) means “to be located at.”
- 門口 / 门口 (ménkǒu): “Doorway,” representing the boundary or threshold between two states. “門” (mén) means “door,” and “口” (kǒu) means “mouth” or “entrance.”
- 慾望 / 欲望 (yùwàng): “Desire,” representing an intense wish or craving. “欲” (yù) means “desire,” and “望” (wàng) means “to hope” or “to expect.”
- 制伏 / 制伏 (zhì fú): “To subdue” or “to control,” representing the act of mastering something. “制” (zhì) means “to control” or “to rule,” and “伏” (fú) means “to subdue” or “to lie down.”
5. Cultural Insights
- Divine Testing and Personal Growth: In both Biblical and Chinese traditions, moral testing is an important theme. Cain’s moment of choice—whether to act rightly or succumb to sin—is reminiscent of the cultural concept of personal growth through trials. In Chinese culture, enduring challenges and overcoming them is a path to personal and spiritual improvement.
- The Power of Desire: The phrase “sin lieth at the door” reflects how both positive and negative desires play a role in shaping one’s actions. In Chinese culture, controlling one’s desires is highly emphasized as part of self-discipline and personal growth, similar to Cain’s struggle with the temptation to sin.
- Acceptance and Rejection: Just as God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering is contrasted with the rejection of Cain’s, many cultures, including Chinese culture, place importance on acceptance and respect. Offering one’s best—whether in service, gift-giving, or actions—is critical to receiving favor, whether divine or human.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 如果 / 如果 (Rúguǒ): Think of “如果” (Rúguǒ) as “If,” and associate it with the idea of having a choice, as Cain had to choose between doing well or sinning.
- 行得正 (xíng dé zhèng): To remember “行得正” (xíng dé zhèng), think of the path of righteousness as a road that leads to divine favor, just as Cain had the choice to do right or wrong.
- 罪 / 罪 (zuì): “Sin” can be remembered by thinking of the concept of wrongdoing or fault. Just as Cain’s sin lay in wait, this word reminds us of the consequences of negative actions.
- 伏在 / 伏在 (fú zài): To recall “伏在” (fú zài), visualize something lurking in the shadows, such as sin waiting for an opportunity to overcome someone.
- 門口 / 门口 (ménkǒu): “門口” (ménkǒu) can be remembered by thinking of a door or threshold as the place where choices are made—just as Cain was at the threshold of a moral decision.
- 制伏 / 制伏 (zhì fú): To remember “制伏” (zhì fú), think of it as mastering or controlling desires, like Cain needed to master his anger and choices in the face of temptation.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- הֲלֹ֤וא אִם־תֵּיטִיב֙ (Ha-lo im teitiv): → 如果行得正 (Rúguǒ xíng dé zhèng): Both the Hebrew and Chinese introduce the conditional aspect, with Cain being asked if he does well, will he not be accepted?
- וְאִם־לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב (V’im lo teitiv): → 如果行不正 (Rúguǒ xíng bù zhèng): In both languages, the idea is that if Cain does not act rightly, sin will have an opportunity to enter.
- לַפֶּ֖תַח חַטָּ֣את רֹבֵ֑ץ (Lapéteḥ ḥattā’t rovetz): → 罪就伏在門口 (Zuì jiù fú zài ménkǒu): Both express the idea that sin lies in wait at the door, ready to influence Cain’s decisions.
- Comparison with English:
- “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” corresponds to 如果行得正，豈不必得抬舉嗎？如果行不正，罪就伏在門口 (Rúguǒ xíng dé zhèng, qǐ bù bì dé táijǔ ma? Rúguǒ xíng bù zhèng, zuì jiù fú zài ménkǒu): Both passages present the choice between good and evil, with a direct consequence for Cain.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Moral Choices: In both the Bible and Chinese culture, individuals are frequently faced with moral choices that have far-reaching consequences. Just as Cain is given the choice to do right, Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of making righteous decisions in life.
- Desire and Mastery: Both cultures emphasize the importance of mastering one’s desires to avoid sin or negative consequences. In Chinese thought, mastering desire is often linked to self-cultivation and personal growth, a concept similar to Cain’s need to control his emotions and desires.
