Devine Scripture

Genesis 4:7

What does Genesis 4:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If you do well, will you not have honour? and if you do wrong, sin is waiting at the door, desiring to have you, but do not let it be your master.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Is there not, if thou dost well, acceptance? and if thou dost not well, at the opening a sin-offering is crouching, and unto thee its desire, and thou rulest over it.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If thou do well, shalt thou not receive? but if ill, shall not sin forthwith be present at the door? but the lust thereof shall be under thee, and thou shalt have dominion over it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If thou doest well, will not [thy countenance] look up [with confidence]? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door; and unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Context

v.6And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

v.7This passage

v.8And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 12:1

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

  • Hebrews 11:4

    By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:12

    Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:

  • Romans 14:18

    For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.

  • Job 29:4

    As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;

  • Ephesians 1:6

    to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

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