John Steinbeck. East of Eden (№ 306790)

- Remember, you read us the sixteen verses of the fourth Chapter of Genesis, and we discussed them together?
- How well I remember. It's been a while.
Almost ten years ago, Lee said. - This story hit me in the soul, and I began to think about it, word by word. And the more I thought about it, the deeper it was done its meaning. Then I compared the different translations - they were pretty close. Only one place I stumbled where Jehovah asks Cain why he was upset. According to the English Bible published under king James, God says, "If you do well, will you not raise up your face? and if you do not do well, sin lieth at the door; its desire is for you, but thou shalt rule over him." I stopped the "will to dominate", because it is a promise to Cain that he would conquer sin. <...> Then I opened American Standard Bible, recently published, ' continued Lee, having drunk coffee from a Cup. And it translates differently: "But you must master it". It's quite a different matter. There is not a promise but an order. And took me home. Well, I think the word is in the original, in the original Bible that permits such different translations?
<...>
- But why are you so interested in this place? he asked.
- It seemed to me that people can put together the great story, exactly knew what he wants to say, and his words do not admit of inclinations.
- You say "people". So, I don't think this is the book divine, written by the fingers of God?
- I think that the mind who created this story, was the mind of the divine. We in China had a few of those minds. <...> after two years [of learning Hebrew], we felt that we can proceed with your sixteen verses of the fourth Chapter of Genesis. The elders also recognized the seventh verse is very important. "Will to dominate"? "Reign"? This is the gold Deposit we long works: "Can dominate". "You can rule over sin." <...> Isn't it obvious? he exclaimed. American Standard commands people to rule over sin, rule over ignorance. British Royal promises people an indispensable victory over sin, for "you will reign" - this is a promise. But the Hebrew word "timshel" - "unable to rule" - gives the person a choice. This may be the most important word in the world. It tells the person that opened the way to decide is to him. For if "you can rule", then the opposite is true: "but they can not prevail". <...> Important every Covenant that influenced thinking, on the lives of countless people. Many millions of your believers hear these words as a command: "rule thou" - and do all their emphasis on obedience. And millions of others hear: "you Will prevail" - as the predestination over. Whatever they did, it would still be something predefined. But "can dominate"! - because it invests man's greatness puts him on a par with the gods, and in its weakness, in the mud and filth of the fratricide, he still preserves a great choice. - Lee's voice sounded triumphant song. - He can choose the way to break through and win.
Quote Explanation: This refers to the story of Cain and Abel.
№ 306790   Added MegaMozg 06-11-2017 / 00:04

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