The 圣经 holds a unique position in China. For the rapidly growing Christian population, it is the foundational text of their faith, spiritual guidance, and moral life, just as it is for Christians globally. The most widely used Chinese translation is the Chinese Union Version (CUV), or 和合本 (Héhéběn), completed in 1919. The language of the 和合本 was so influential that it helped shape Modern Standard Chinese, much like the King James Version influenced English. However, its cultural position differs greatly from its role in the West. In many Western countries, the Bible's stories, idioms, and moral frameworks are deeply embedded in the culture, familiar even to non-religious people. In China, the 圣经 is an “imported” text. The average non-Christian Chinese person might know of it as the holy book of Christianity, but they are far more likely to be culturally influenced by native texts like the Analects of Confucius (`论语`), the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, or classic novels like *Journey to the West* (`西游记`). Therefore, while referencing the 圣经 is central within Christian communities, it does not serve as a common cultural touchstone in broader Chinese society. It is respected as a significant religious text but lacks the deep, native roots of China's own philosophical and literary classics.