A

English: "Where is Abel your brother?" (modern meaning: a hint of a crime)

Origin: Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" (Genesis 4.8-9.)

German: Wo ist dein Bruder Abel?

Russian: Каин, где брат твой Авель?

English: ab ovo (modern meaning: at the beginning, at the start. Meaning in Latin: from the egg, as Roman meals started with eggs)

Origin: This is the book of the generations of Adam. (Genesis 5.11.)

German: bei Adam und Eva anfangen

Russian: от Адама

English: He who is not with me is against me

Origin: He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. (Matthew 12.30.)

German: Wer nicht mit mir ist, der ist gegen mich

Russian: Кто не со мною, тот против меня

English: Is not good that the man should be alone.

Origin: (Genesis 2. 18)

German: Es ist nicht gut, daß der Mensch allein sei.

Russian: Не добро быть человеку единому.

English: alpha and omega (modern meaning: very beginning of smth. -- the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet)

Origin: I am the Alpha and the Omega," (Revelation 1.8.)

German: das A und das O von etw. sein

Russian: от Альфы до Омеги (Альфа и Омега)

English: A soft answer turneth away wrath

Origin: (Psalms 15.1.)

German: eine linde Antwort stillt den Zorn

Russian: покорное слово гнев укрощает

English: to keep as the apple of his eye (meaning: to cherish, to keep smth. very carefully)

Origin: He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. (Deuteronomy 32.10.)

German: wie seinen Augapfel behüten

Russian: беречь как зеницу ока

English: fig-leaves apron (modern meaning: 1. symbol of pudency 2. hypocritical covering of real purpose or state of affairs)

Origin: They sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons.(Genesis 3. 7.)

German: Feigenblätter

Russian: фиговый листок

English: to put ashes on one's head (modern meaning: to sorrow, to bewail)

Origin: And when they saw him from afar, they did not recognize him; and they raised their voices and wept; and they rent their robes and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven (Job 2.12.)

German: Staub auf dem Haupt werfen

Russian: посыпать голову пеплом

B

English: to serve Ba'al (modern meaning: to be on the grab, to be avaricious)

Origin: And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jerobo'am the son of Nebat, he took for wife Jez'ebel the daughter of Ethba'al king of the Sido'nians, and went and served Ba'al, and worshiped him. (1 Kings 16.30 - 31)

German: Baal dienen

Russian: служить Ваалу

English: what a Babel! (modern meaning: about loud and confused talk)

Origin: And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11.6 - 7.)

German: Babylonische Sprachverwirrung

Russian: Вавилонское столпотворение

English: Balaam's ass (modern meaning: obedient person with unanticipated objections)

Origin: The Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? (Numbers 22.21-35.)

German: Bileams Eselin

Russian: Валаамова ослица

English: Belshazzar's feast (modern meaning: 1. frivolous life during national calamity 2. a fat feast )

Origin: Belshaz'zar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords (Daniel 5)

German: Belsazars Gastmahl

Russian: Валтасаров пир (пир Валтасара)

English: And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

Origin: (Matthew 15.14.)

German: Wenn ein Blinder den andern führt, so fallen sie beide in die Grube.

Russian: Если слепой ведет слепого, то оба упадут в яму

English: stumbling block (modern meaning: sticking point, obstacle)

Origin: Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel. (Isaiah 8.14.)

German: Stein des Anstoßes

Russian: Камень преткновения

English: the book of life (modern meaning: the life)

Origin: He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life (Revelation 3.5.)

German: das Buch des Lebens

Russian: книга жизни

English: to pour out the bowl of the wrath (modern meaning: to be very angry)

Origin: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God." (Revelation )

German: sieben Schalen des Zornes ausgiessen

Russian: излить (изливать) гнев

English: man shall not live by bread alone (meaning: about the superiority of spiritual things over material ones)

Origin: And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD (Deuteronomy 8.3.)

German: Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein

Russian: Не о хлебе едином (не хлебом единым) (жив будет человек).

English: daily bread (modern meaning: earnings)

Origin: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6.11.)

German: tägliches Brot

Russian: хлеб (наш) насущный

English: our least brethren (modern meaning: about powerless people or dumb animals)

Origin: And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matthew 25.40)

German: meine geringste Brüder

Russian: (наши) братья меньшие

English: : to bear one another's burdens (modern meaning:to help each other)

Origin: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6.2.)

German: die Last des anderen tragen

Russian: носить тяготы (бремя) друг друга

C

English: render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's (modern meaning: to keep spiritual and secular actions separate)

Origin: They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22.15 - 21)

German: So gebt dem Kaiser, was des Kaisers ist, und Gott, was Gottes ist!!

Russian: Кесарю Кесарево, а Богу Божие (воздайте, отдайте)

Cain

English: the brand /the mark/ of Cain (modern meaning: the stigma of crime)

Origin: And the Lord set a mark upon Cain (Genesis, 4. 15.)

German: ein Zeichen an Kain

Russian: Каинова печать (клеймо)

English: the golden calf (modern meaning: the power of money or gold)

Origin: And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made a molten calf; and they said, «These are your gods» (Exodus 32.)

German: das goldene Stierbild

Russian: златой телец

English: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Origin: (Matthew 19.24)

German: Es ist leichter, daß ein Kamel durch ein Nadelöhr gehe, als daß ein Reicher ins Reich Gottes komme.

Russian: Удобнее верблюду пройти сквозь игольные уши, нежели богатому войти в Царствие Божие

English: But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Origin: (Matthew 5.39.)

German: wenn dich jemand auf deine rechte Backe schlägt, dem biete die andere auch dar.

Russian: Кто ударит тебя в правую щеку, обрати к нему (подставь ему) и левую (другую)

English: Children are an heritage of the Lord

Origin: Children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psalms 127.3.)

German: Kinder sind eine Gabe des Herrn

Russian: Дети - благословление божие

English: to seek the city (modern meaning: to seek the justice or to seek the better life)

Origin: here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. (Hebrew 13.14.)

German: eine zukünftige Stadt suchen

Russian: взыскующие града

English: to heap burning coals upon smb.s head (modern meaning: to prepare problems for smb.)

Origin: No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." (Romans 12.20.)

German: feurige Kohlen auf j-n Haupt werfen

Russian: собирать на голову горящие уголья

English: the written code kills, but the spirit gives life (modern meaning: about formality and creativity)

Origin: who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3.6.)

German: Der Buchstabe tötet, aber der Geist macht lebendig

Russian: буква мертвит, а дух животворит

English: Bad company ruins good morals

Origin: (1 Corinthians 15.33 - 34. )

German: Schlechter Umgang verdirbt gute Sitten

Russian: дурные сообщества портят хорошие нравы

English: it could not be counted

Origin: For they would come up with their cattle and their tents, coming like locusts for number; both they and their camels could not be counted; so that they wasted the land as they came in. (Judges 6.5.)

German: wie eine große Menge Heuschrecken

Russian: несть (нет) числа

English: the crack of doom (modern meaning: dreadful foreshadow)

Origin: Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (Revelation 8.2-12 )

German: die Posaunen geben

Russian: трубный глас

English: to bear one's cross (modern meaning: to suffer, to be self-denying)

Origin: So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha. (John 19.17.)

German: sein Kreuz tragen

Russian: нести (свой) тяжелый крест

English: a crown of thorns (modern meaning: the symbol of misery)

Origin: And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. (Matthew 27.29.)

German: eine Dornenkrone

Russian: терновый венец

English: let this cup pass from me (modern meaning: let this grief pass from me)

Origin: And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26.39.)

German: Möge dieser Kelch an mir vorübergehen

Russian: Да минует (минет) меня чаша сия

English: to drink the cup of suffering (modern meaning: to go the whole hog)

Origin: Rouse yourself, rouse yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl of staggering. (Isaiah 51.17.)

German: der Kelch seines Grimmes

Russian: выпить (испить, пить, осушить) горькую чашу (до дна)

D

English: black darkness

Origin: Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' (Matthew 22.13)

German: die Finsternis

Russian: тьма кромешная

English: the power of darkness (modern meaning: ignorance and backwardness)

Origin: When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (Luke 22.53.)

German: die Macht der Finsternis

Russian: Власть тьмы

English: Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?"

Origin: Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this (Ecclesiastes 7.10.)

German: Sprich nicht: Wie kommt's, daß die früheren Tage besser waren als diese?

Russian: Не говори: "отчего это прежние дни лучше нынешних?"

English: to leave the dead to bury their own dead (modern meaning: to break with the past)

Origin: But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead" (Matthew 8.21-22)

German: laß die Toten ihre Toten begraben

Russian: Предоставь мертвым погребать своих мертвецов

English: to be dead alive (modern meaning: about the moral death or to be very old)

Origin: She who is a real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. (1Timothy 5.6.)

German: lebendig tot sein

Russian: заживо умереть

English: even the demons believe

Origin: You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder. (James 2.19 - 20)

German: die Teufel glauben's auch

Russian: и беси (or бесы) веруют

English: What you are going to do, do quickly!

Origin: Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." (John 13.27.)

German: Was du tust, das tue bald!

Russian: Что делаешь, делай скорей!

English: A living dog is better than a dead lion.

Origin: (Ecclesiastes 9.4.)

German: Ein lebender Hund ist besser als ein toter Löwe

Russian: Псу живому лучше нежели мертвому льву

English: to take a dog by the ears (modern meaning: dangerous and unadvisable act)

Origin: He who meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. ( Proverbs 26.17.)

German: den Hund bei den Ohren zwackten

Russian: хватать пса (волка) за уши.

English: a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways

Origin: For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord (James 1.8.)

German: Ein Zweifler ist unbeständig auf allen seinen Wegen

Russian: двоедушный (двоемыслен) непостоянен бывает

English: to be from the same dust (modern meaning: to be the same, to have the same background)

Origin: Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2.7.)

German: alle Menschen sind aus Erde vom Acker

Russian: (быть) из одной глины

English: to return to dust (modern meaning: sentential about the evanescence of human life)

Origin: For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3. 19.)

German: Denn du bist Erde und sollst zu Erde werden

Russian: Помни (человек), что ты прах и в прах возвратишься.

English: to shake off the dust from feet (modern meaning: to forget smth. or to forgive smb.)

Origin: And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. (Matthew 10.14.)

German: den Staub von Füßen schütteln

Russian: Отряхнуть прах со своих ног

E

English: Egyptian darkness (modern meaning: darkness)

Origin: So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days (Exodus 10.22.)

German: Ägyptisches Finsternis

Russian: Египедская тьмя

English: love your enemies

Origin: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5.44 - 45))

German: Liebt eure Feinde

Russian: Возлюби (люби) врагов своих

English: all of men are equal under the Lord

Origin: The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. (Job 3.19.)

German: klein und groß sind gleich vor dem Gott

Russian: Перед Богом все равны

English: If a man returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. 

Origin: (Psalms 17.13. )

German: Wer Gutes mit Bösem vergilt, von dessen Haus wird das Böse nicht weichen

Russian: Кто за добро воздает злом, от дома того не отойдет зло.

English: anything more than this comes from evil

Origin: Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5.37.)

German: Was darüber ist, das ist vom Übel

Russian: Что сверх того (все остальное, прочее), (то) от лукавого

English: whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

Origin: (Matthew 23.12.)

German: wer sich selbst erhöht, der wird erniedrigt; und wer sich selbst erniedrigt, der wird erhöht

Russian: Кто возвышает себя, тот унижен будет, а кто унижает себя, тот возвысится.

English: If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away.

Origin: (Matthew 5.29.)

German: Wenn dich dein rechtes Auge zum Abfall verführt, so reiß es aus und wirf's von dir.

Russian: Если правый глаз (твой) соблазняет тебя, (то) вырви его

F

English: face to face

Origin: Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33.11.)

German: von Angesicht zu Angesicht (Auge in Auge)

Russian: лицом к лицу (с глазу на глаз)

English: faith apart from works is barren

Origin: Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? (James 2.20.)

German: Glaube ohne Werke ist tot

Russian: Вера без дел мертва (есть)

English: the faith removes mountains

Origin: And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13.2.)

German: das Glauben versetzt die Berge

Russian: вера горами двигает

English: to live on the fat of the land (modern meaning: 1. to enjoy wealthy life 2.to be very famous)

Origin: Ye shall eat the fat of the land. (Genesis, 45. 18.)

German: das Fett des Landes essen.

Russian: есть тук земли

English: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. (modern meaning: responsibilities to new generations)

Origin: (Ezekiel 18.2.)

German: Die Väter haben saure Trauben gegessen, aber den Kindern sind die Zähne davon stumpf geworden

Russian: Отцы ели виноград, а у детей на зубах оскомина.

English: to be gathered to one's fathers (modern meaning: to die)

Origin: Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers (2 Kings 22.20)

German: sich zu seinen Vatern versammeln

Russian: отправиться к праотцам

English: in fear and trembling

Origin: Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling (Psalms 2.11.)

German: mit Furcht und Zittern dem Herrn dienen

Russian: со страхом и трепетом

English: the finger of Fate [of God] (modern meaning: destiny or predetermined consequence)

Origin: The magicians tried by their secret arts to bring forth gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. And the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." (Exodus 8.15-19.)

German: Gottes Finger

Russian: перст Божий

English: to go through fire and water (modern meaning: to suffer or sacrifice)

Origin: often he falls into the fire, and often into the water (Matthew 17.15.)

German: mit j-m durch dick und dünn gehen

Russian: пройти и огонь и воду

English: Flesh of my flesh (modern meaning: 1.  own children 2. consanguinity 2.  affinity)

Origin: Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.(Genesis 2. 23)

German: Fleisch von meinem Fleisch

Russian: Плоть от плоти моей.

English: deceptive food (modern meaning: aberrations or fallacious deductions)

Origin: Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. (Psalms 23. 1 - 3)

German: es ist trügerisches Brot

Russian: это - обманчивая пища

English: A fool uttereth all his mind.

Origin: (Psalms 29.11. )

German: Ein Tor schüttet all seinen Unmut aus

Russian: господин гневу своему

English: to forgive seven times (modern meaning: to be under favorable conditions)

Origin: Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18.21 - 22)

German: siebenmal vergeben

Russian: семь раз прощать

English: forgive, and you will be forgiven

Origin: Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6.37.)

German: Vergebt, so wird euch vergeben

Russian: Прощайте, и прощены будете

English: Forgive them because they don't know what they do

Origin: And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23.34)

German: sie wissen nicht, was sie tun

Russian: не ведают (не знают) что творят

English: to hanker after forbidden fruit

Origin: "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." (Genesis 2.16-17.)

German: verbotene Fruchte schmecken süss

Russian: запретный плод сладок

English: to know smb. by his fruits (modern meaning: to judge smb. by his actions)

Origin: You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7. 15 - 16)

German: an den Früchten erkennen

Russian: По плодам (по делам) их узнаете их

English: Be fruitful and multiply! (modern meaning: (humorously) said to a recently married couple)

Origin: Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. (Genesis 1. 28)

German: Seid fruchtbar und mehret euch!

Russian: Плодитесь и размножайтесь!

English: to fulminate against. to deliver a sulphurous speech

Origin: On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. (Exodus19.16.)

German: Donner und Blitz (gegen j-n) schleudern

Russian: метать громы и молнии (против кого-либо)

G

English: One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh.

Origin: (Ecclesiastes 1.4.)

German: Ein Geschlecht vergeht, das andere kommt; die Erde aber bleibt immer bestehen

Russian: Род проходит и род приходит, а земля пребывает вовеки

English: It is more blessed to give than to receive

Origin: In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20.35. )

German: Geben ist seliger als nehmen

Russian: лучше дать, чем взять

English: the gift of God (modern meaning: talent, cleverness)

Origin: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6.23.)

German: die Gabe Gottes

Russian: дар Божий

English: to strain out a gnat (modern meaning: to be overscrupulous but not to see the basic)

Origin: You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! (Matthew 23.24)

German: die Mücken aussieben

Russian: отцеживать комара

English: to kick against the goads (modern meaning: to fight agains destiny)

Origin: And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.' (Acts 26.14.)

German: Es ist schwer, wider den Stachel zu löcken

Russian: Трудно притиво рожна прати

English: Whither goest thou? (Where are you going?) (modern meaning: request to tell about decision)

Origin: Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." (John)

German: Wo gehst du hin?

Russian: Камо грядеши?

English: to be as gods (modern meaning: achievement of excellence in smth.)

Origin: Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.(Genesis 3. 5.)

German: ihr werdet sein wie Gott

Russian: и вы будете как боги

English: an unknown god

Origin: So Paul, standing in the middle of the Are-op'agus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' (Acts )

German: der unbekannte Gott

Russian: неведомый Бог

English: Gog and Magog (modern meaning: the symbole of smth. very dangerous or fearful)

Origin: And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20.7.)

German: Gog und Magog

Russian: Гог и Магог

English: to make it /to be/ away from the ground (modern meaning: to wipe out)

Origin: Behold, thou hast driven me this day away from the ground (Genesis 4.14.)

German: j-n, etw. vom Acker treiben

Russian: Стереть (исчезнуть, пропасть) с лица земли.

English: Here there cannot be Greek and Jew (modern meaning: about equality in Christianity)

Origin: Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3.11.)

German: Da ist nicht mehr Grieche oder Jude

Russian: нет ни Эллина, ни Иудея

H

English: not one hair shall fall to the ground (modern meaning: to keep sb. in complete safety)

Origin: As the LORD lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground (1 Samuel 14.11.)

German: es soll kein Haar auf die Erde fallen

Russian: ни один волос (волосок) не упадет с головы

English: do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (modern meaning: incoherence or inconformity of actions)

Origin: But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6.3.)

German: laß deine linke Hand nicht wissen, was die rechte tut

Russian: Левая рука не знает, что деает правая

English: to wash one's hands (modern meaning: refuse to assume responsibility)

Origin: So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." (Matthew 27.24.)

German: sich seine Hände waschen

Russian: умыть (умывать) руки

English: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few

Origin: (Matthew 9.37.)

German: Die Ernte ist groß, aber wenige sind der Arbeiter.

Russian: Жатвы много, а деятелей мало

English: for to him who has will more be given

Origin: Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away. (Luke 8.18.)

German: Wer da hat, dem wird gegeben

Russian: Кто имеет, тому (и) дано будет

English: we are having nothing, but yet possessing everything

Origin: (2 Corinthians 6.8 -10)

German: als die nichts haben, und doch alles haben

Russian: мы ничего не имеем, но всем обладаем

English: He who has ears to hear, let him hear (modern meaning: he who wants will understand)

Origin: (Matthew 11.15.)

German: wer Ohren hat, der höre

Russian: Кто имеет уши слышать да слышит

English: to go upon sbs. own head (meaning: to call down [to lay] curses upon smb. )

Origin: His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own pate his violence descends. (Psalms 7.16 )

German: auf j-n Kopf kommen lassen

Russian: на (чью-л) голову

English: to have nowhere to lay own's head (modern meaning: have no shelter)

Origin: And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head (Luke 9.58.)

German: der Menschensohn hat nichts, wo er sein Haupt hinlege

Russian: не иметь, где (негде) голову приклонить

English: in the fullness of one's heart (modern meaning: to have a very kind heart)

Origin: The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6.45.)

German: aus dem guten Schatz seines Herzens

Russian: от избытка сердца

English: the hell of fire (nethermost fire)

Origin: But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5.22.)

German: höllischer Feuer

Russian: Генна огненная

English: It is nothing hid, except to be made manifest

Origin: For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. (Mark 4.22.)

German: Es ist nichts verborgen, was nicht offenbar werden soll

Russian: Нет ничего тайного, что не сделалось бы явным

English: the most holy (meaning: smth. very important or untouchable)

Origin: And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in thither within the veil; and the veil shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy. (Exodus 26.33-34.)

German: das Allerheiligste

Russian: святая святых

English: Honor thy father and thy mother.

Origin: (Exodus 20.12.)

German: Du sollst deinen Vater und deine Mutter ehren

Russian: Чти отца твоего и мать твою

English: God's house (modern meaning: a church)

Origin: ... and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou givest me I will give the tenth to thee." (Genesis 28.22.)

German: Gotteshaus

Russian: дом божий

English: the hope does not disappoint (modern meaning: it is not shameful to hope)

Origin: More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5.5.)

German: Hoffnung läßt nicht zuschanden werden

Russian: надежда не постыжет

English: pale horse (modern meaning: the symbol of death)

Origin: And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him (Revelation 6.8.)

German: ein fahles Pferd

Russian: конь бледный

I,J

English: You shall not make for yourself a graven image! (meaning: don't idolize smth.)

Origin: You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (Exodus 20.4.)

German: Du sollst dir kein Bildnis machen

Russian: не сотвори себе кумира

English: Jericho trumpet (modern meaning: (humorously) loud voice or a man with loud voice).

Origin: And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him. (Joshua 6.)

German: die Posaune von Jericho

Russian: Иерихонская труба

English: Iron sharpens iron (modern meaning: necessity of drastic action)

Origin: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ( Proverbs 27.17. )

German: ein Messer wetzt das andre

Russian: Железо железо острит

English: not to yield an inch (an iota) (modern meaning: not even a little)

Origin: For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5.18.)

German: um kein Tüpfelchen

Russian: ни йоты (ни на йоту)

English: Judas kiss (modern meaning: the symbol of betrayal)

Origin: He drew near to Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?" (Luke 22.47.)

German: Judas Kuß

Russian: Иудин поцелуй (поцелуй Иуды)

English: Judge not, that you be not judged

Origin: (Matthew 7.1 - 2.)

German: Richtet nicht, damit ihr nicht gerichtet werdet

Russian: Не судите, да не судимы будете

English: Do not judge by appearances (modern meaning: appearances are deceptive)

Origin: Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.(John 7.24.)

German: Richtet nicht nach dem, was vor Augen ist

Russian: Не судите по наружности (по внешнему виду)

English: justice you shall follow

Origin: Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you. (Deuteronomy16.20.)

German: Was recht ist, dem sollst du nachjagen

Russian: Правды ищи, дабы ты был жив

K

English: Am I my brother's keeper? (modern meaning: a criminal proclaiming his innocence)

Origin: (Genesis 4. 9.)

German: Soll ich meines Bruders Hüter sein?

Russian: Разве я сторож брату моему?

English: Thou shalt not kill

Origin: (Exodus 20.13.)

German: Du sollst nicht töten

Russian: Не убий

English: king of earth (modern meaning: man as the crown of creation)

Origin: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." (Genesis 1. 26.)

German: der Herrscher der Erde.

Russian: Царь природы (земли)

English: Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child (modern meaning: the danger of unskilled governance)

Origin: Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning. (Ecclesiastes 10.16 )

German: Weh dir, Land, dessen König ein Kind ist

Russian: Горе земле, когда царь отрок

English: of his kingdom there will be no end (meaning: the immensity of Christ's kingdom)

Origin: He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1.32-33.)

German: und sein Reich wird kein Ende haben

Russian: его (же) царствию не будет конца

English: the kingdom of God is in the midst of you

Origin: Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." (Luke 17.20 - 21)

German: das Reich Gottes ist mitten unter euch

Russian: царство божие внутри нас

English: knock, and it will be opened (modern meaning: try hard and you will win)

Origin: "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you". (Matthew 7.7.)

German: klopfet an, so wird euch aufgetan

Russian: толцыте (стучите) и отверзется (и вам откроют)

English: He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Origin: (Ecclesiastes 1.18)

German: Denn wo viel Weisheit ist, da ist viel Grämen, und wer viel lernt, der muß viel leiden.

Russian: Во многой мудрости много печали.

L

English: the Promised Land, land of the Covenant

Origin: A land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3.8.)

German: das Gelobte Land

Russian: земля обетованная

English: the laborer deserves his wages

Origin: And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house (Luke)

German: ein Arbeiter ist seines Lohnes wert

Russian: достоин деятель мзды своей

English: like a lamb (modern meaning: a defenseless and gentle person)

Origin: Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. (Acts 8.32. )

German: wie ein Schaf

Russian: как (аки) агнец (Божий)

English: Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful.

Origin: (Psalms 14.13. )

German: Auch beim Lachen kann das Herz trauern

Russian: иной смех плачем отзывается

English: where there is no law there is no transgression

Origin: For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. (Romans 4.15.)

German: wo das Gesetz nicht ist, da ist auch keine Übertretung.

Russian: Если бы не закон, не было бы и преступника

English: poor as Laz'arus (modern meaning: very poor)

Origin: And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, ²¹ who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores (Luke 16.20 - 21.)

German: arm wie Lazarus

Russian: беден, как Лазарь

English: resurrection of Laz'arus

Origin: When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Laz'arus, come out." The dead man came out... (John 11.38 - 44.)

German: die Auferweckung des Lazarus

Russian: воскрешение Лазаря

English: a little leaven leavens the whole lump (modern meaning: every great thing has humble beginnings)

Origin: Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1Corinthians 5.6.)

German: ein wenig Sauerteig durchsäuert den ganzen Teig

Russian: малая закваска квасит все тесто (всю опару)

English: their name is Legion (modern meaning: lots and lots of smth.)

Origin: Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. (Luke 8.30.)

German: Legion

Russian: имя им - легион

English: Let there be light!

Origin: There be light: and there was light (Genesis 1.3.)

German: Es werde Licht!

Russian: Да будет свет!

English: the light in the darkness (modern meaning: about progressive ideas or people)

Origin: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1.4 - 5.)

German: das Licht in der Finsternis

Russian: свет во мгле (во тьме)

English: A fool's lips bring strife (about the prudence of silence)

Origin: Fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. (Psalms 18.6 - 7)

German: Der Mund des Toren bringt ihn ins Verderben

Russian: язык мой - враг мой

English: to gird up loins (modern meaning: to prepare for travel)

Origin: And the hand of the LORD was on Eli'jah; and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (1 Kings 18.46)

German: seine Lenden gürten

Russian: Перепоясать (перепоясывать) чресла

English: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away

Origin: (Job 1.21.)

German: Herr hat's gegeben, der Herr hat's genommen

Russian: Господь дал, Господь и взял

English: If the Lord wills (modern meaning: the formula of caution or docility)

Origin: Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that." (James 4.5.)

German: Wenn der Herr will

Russian: Если угодно (будет) богу

English: Love your neighbor as yourself!

Origin: Love thy neighbor as thyself (Leviticus 19.18.)

German: Du sollst deinen Nächsten lieben wie dich selbst

Russian: люби (возлюби) ближнего своего как самого себя

English: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear

Origin: (1 John 4.18.)

German: Furcht ist nicht in der Liebe die vollkommene Liebe aber treibt die Furcht aus

Russian: В любви нет страха, но совершенная любовь изгоняет  страх

M

English: as one man (modern meaning: everyone)

Origin: The people arose as one man. (Judges 20.8.)

German: alles Volk wie ein Mann

Russian: как один человек

English: Manna (modern meaning: smth highly desirable)

Origin: And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as hoarfrost on the ground. (Exodus 16.14 - 16.)

German: Manna vom Himmel

Russian: Манна небесная

English: No man can serve two masters (modern meaning: uselessness of duplicity)

Origin: (Matthew 6.24.)

German: Niemand kann zwei Herren dienen

Russian: Никто не может служить двум господам

English: mercy triumphs over judgment

Origin: For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2.13.)

German: Barmherzigkeit triumphiert über das Gericht

Russian: Милость превозносится над судом

English: Methuselah's age (modern meaning: to be very old)

Origin: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.(Genesis, 5. 27)

German: Metuschelachs Alter

Russian: Мафусаилов век

English: if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect

Origin: For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. (James 3.2.)

German: Wer sich aber im Wort nicht verfehlt, der ist ein vollkommener Mann

Russian: Кто не согрешает в слове, тот человек совершенный

English: to offer up a sacrifice to Molech (modern meaning: to take atrocious sanguinary action)

Origin: And he defiled To'pheth, which is in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech (2 Kings 23.10)

German: j-n dem Moloch durchs Feuer gehen lassen

Russian: приносить (принести) жертву Молоху

English: the love of money is the root of all evils

Origin: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; (2 Timothy 6.9-10.)

German: Geldgier ist eine Wurzel alles Übels

Russian: корень всех зол - серебролюбие (есть)

mother

English: from mother's womb (modern meaning: from birth)

Origin: And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; ¹⁵ for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Luke 1.15.)

German: von Mutterleib an

Russian: от чрева матери

English: mother-naked (modern meaning: to be naked)

Origin: And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return (Job 1.21.)

German: nackt, wie Gott geschaffen hat

Russian: в чем мать родила

English: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings

Origin: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies. (Psalms 8.3.)

German: Kindermund tut Wahrheit kund

Russian: Устами младенцев (младенца) глаголет истина

English: This mystery is a profound one

Origin: This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (Ephesians 5.35.)

German: Dies Geheimnis ist groß

Russian: Тайна сия велика есть!

N

English: A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Origin: (Psalms 22.1.)

German: Ein guter Ruf ist köstlicher als großer Reichtum

Russian: добрая слава лучше богатства.

English: Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

Origin: (Proverbs 27.10. )

German: Ein Nachbar in der Nähe ist besser als ein Bruder in der Ferne

Russian: Лучше сосед вблизи, нежели брат вдали

English: There is no new thing under the sun.

Origin: (Ecclesiastes 1.9.)

German: Es geschieht nichts Neues unter der Sonne

Russian: Ничто не вечно (не ново) под луной (под солнцем)

English: Noah's Ark

Origin: (Genesis 6.13 - 14.)

German: Noahs Arche

Russian: Ноев ковчег

O

English: olive branch (modern meaning: the symbol of peace)

Origin: ...and the dove came back to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. (Genesis 8.11.)

German: ein Ölblatt tragen

Russian: маслиничная (оливковая) ветвь

English: to limp with two opinions (modern meaning: to be doubting in making decisions)

Origin: And Eli'jah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Ba'al, then follow him." (1 Kings 18.21.)

German: auf beiden Seiten hinkern

Russian: хромать на обе ноги

P

English: to pay one's shot (modern meaning: to contribute)

Origin: And he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them (Luke 21.1-4.)

German: sein Scherflein beitragen

Russian: внести (вносить) свою лепту

English: Blessed are the peacemakers

Origin: (Matthew 5.9.)

German: Selig sind die Friedfertigen

Russian: Блаженны миротворцы

English: Do not throw your pearls before swine (modern meaning: to explain smth to smb. who cannot understand or appreciate it)

Origin: (Matthew 7.6.)

German: Ihr sollt nicht eure Perlen vor die Säue werfen

Russian: Метать (рассыпать) бисер перед свиньями

English: to become a pillar of salt (modern meaning: to be immovable as a statue )

Origin: But his [Lot's] wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.(Genesis, 19. 26)

German: zur Salzsaule erstarren

Russian: стать как соляной столб

English: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein.

Origin: (Psalms 26.27.)

German: Wer eine Grube macht, der wird hineinfallen

Russian: Кто роет яму, тот (сам) упадет в нее

English: He who gives to the poor will not want (meaning: the value of charity)

Origin: He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. (Proverbs 28.27.)

German: Wer dem Armen gibt, dem wird nichts mangeln

Russian: Да не оскудеет рука дающего

English: Blessed are the poor in spirit (modern meaning: humble people)

Origin: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5.3.)

German: Selig sind, die da geistlich arm sind.

Russian: Блаженны нищие духом

English: to sell smth for a pottage of lentils (modern meaning: to sell smth. very valuable for nothimg)

Origin: Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25.31 - 34.)

German: etw. fur ein Linsengericht verkaufen

Russian: продать (что-то) за чечевичную похлебку

English: Beware of false prophets

Origin: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7.15.)

German: Seht euch vor vor den falschen Propheten

Russian: Берегитесь лжепророков

English: no man is prophet in his own country

Origin: A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house (Matthew 13.57.)

German: Ein Prophet gilt nirgends weniger als in seinem Vaterland

Russian: Нет пророка в (своем) отечестве

English: God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Origin: (1 Peter 5.5.)

German: Gott widersteht den Hochmütigen, aber den Demütigen gibt er Gnade.

Russian: смирение (унижение) паче гордости

English: to become /to pass into/ a proverb (modern meaning: to be very famous or of long-lasting fame)

Origin: And you shall become a horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where the LORD will lead you away. (Deuteronomy 28.37.)

German: zum Sprichwort werden

Russian: стать притчей во языцех

R

English: in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor (modern meaning: quintessence of a fair trial)
Origin: You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. (Leviticus 19.15.)

German: Du sollst deinen Nächsten recht richten

Russian: по правде суди ближнего своего

English: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

Origin: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5.6.)

German: Selig sind, die da hungert und dürstet nach der Gerechtigkeit

Russian: Блаженны алчущие и жаждущие правды

English: He reaps where he did not sow (modern meaning: a person who lives by other people's labor)

Origin: He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow (Matthew 25.24)

German: Er erntet, wo er nicht gesät hat

Russian: жнет, где не сеял

English: the root of all evil (modern meaning: the cause of all evil)

Origin: Ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
(Job 19.28.)

German: die Wurzel des Ubels

Russian: корень зла

English: to tore the robes (modern meaning: the sign of grief or chagrin)

Origin: Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. (Matthew 26.65.)

German: seine Kleider zerreissen

Russian: разорвать (свои) ризы (одежды) (на себе)

S

English: The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath (modern meaning: not to be a slave of rules)

Origin: (Mark 2.23 - 27)

German: Der Sabbat ist um des Menschen willen gemacht und nicht der Mensch um des Sabbats willen.

Russian: Суббота для человека, а не человек для субботы

English: the salt of the earth (modern meaning: the top of society)

Origin: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? (Matthew 5.13.)

German: das Salz der Erde

Russian: соль земли

English: (as much) like the sand of the sea

Origin: And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. (Genesis 41.49)

German: viel wie Sand am Meer

Russian: как (больше, паче) песка морского

English: to build on sand (modern meaning: smth. fragile or easy-to-destroy)

Origin: And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand (Matthew 7.26 - 27)

German: etw. auf Sand bauen

Russian: Строить (дом) на песке

English: to be not worthy to unite the thong of smb. sandal (modern meaning: a person of little worth)

Origin: .....even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie (John 1.27.)

German: nicht wert zu sein, um die Schuhriemen zu lösen.

Russian: не достоин развязать ремень у сапог его

English: He who is sated loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet

Origin: (Proverbs 27.7.)

German: einem Hungrigen ist alles Bittre süß

Russian: Сытая душа попирает и сот, а голодной душе все горькое сладко

scapegoat

English: scapegoat (modern meaning: whipping boy)

Origin: Let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16.10.)

German: der Sündebock

Russian: козел отпущения

English: (the) scales fell from his eyes (modern meaning: to get smth. right)

Origin: And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized (Acts 9.18. )

German: es fiel wie Schuppen von seinen Augen

Russian: чешуя (пелена) упала с глаз

English: to cross the sea as if on dry land

Origin: By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land (Hebrew 11.29.)

German: durch das Meer wie über trockenes Land gehen

Russian: по морю (воде) аки по суху

English: to seal with seven seals (modern meaning: to hide smth.)

Origin: And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5.1-3.)

German: mit sieben Siegeln versiegeln

Russian: за семью печатями

English: like a grain of mustard seed (modern meaning: smth very small but with big potencial)

Origin: It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." (Mark 4.31 - 32)

German: klein wie ein Senfkorn

Russian: как горчичное зерно (с горчичное зерно)

English: Seek, and you will find

Origin: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7.8.)

German: Suchet, so werdet ihr finden

Russian: Кто ищет тот находит (найдет)

English: to separate the husk from the grain (modern meaning: to separate bad from good)

Origin: 'No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers (Matthew 13.24-30)

German: Unkraut von Weizen trennen

Russian: Отделять (отделить) плевелы от пшеницы

English: to separate the sheep from the goats (modern meaning: to separate bad things from the good ones)

Origin: Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25.31-33)

German: die Schafe von den Böcken scheiden

Russian: отделять овец от козлищ

serpent

English: Old serpent (modern meaning: tempter, depraver)

Origin: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field.(Genesis 3. 1.)

German: Die listige Schlange

Russian: Змей-искуситель

English: the lost sheep (modern meaning: to be in error or in spiritual doubt)

Origin: If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
(Matthew 18.12.)

German: das verirrte (verlorene) Schaf

Russian: Заблудшая овца

English: Sell what you possess and follow me (modern meaning: appeal to join a church or do religious work)

Origin: Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Matthew 19.21)

German: Verkaufe, was du hast, und folge mir nach

Russian: Продай (все), что имеешь, и следуй за мной

silver

English: thirty pieces of silver (modern meaning: the price of betrayal)

Origin: "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26.15.)

German: dreißig Silberlinge

Russian: тридцать серебреников

English: in his own similitude (modern meaning: to bear analogy to smth.)

Origin: He made man in his own similitude (Genesis 1.11-26.)

German: zu seinem Bilde

Russian: По образу и подобию

English: mortal sin (deadly sin)

Origin: If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. (1 John 5.16 - 17)

German: eine Sünde zum Tode

Russian: смертный грех, семь смертных грехов

English: errors (sins) of youth (about inconsiderate deeds in the past)

Origin: Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. (Psalms 25.7. )

German: Sünden der Jugend

Russian: грехи молодости

English: Sodom and Gomor'rah

Origin: Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomor'rah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; (Genesis 19.24 -25.)

German: Sodom und Gomorra

Russian: Содом и Гоморра

English: to fall on good soil (modern meaning: to be under favorable conditions)

Origin: Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13.3 - 8)

German: auf gutes Land fallen

Russian: упасть на добрую почву

English: verdict of Solomon (modern meaning: 1. wise judgement 2. ingenious or unexpected judgement)

Origin: (1 Kings 3.16-28)

German: Salomos Urteil

Russian: Соломоново решение

English: In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.

Origin: (Genesis, 3. 16)

German: unter Mühen sollst du Kinder gebären

Russian: в муках рожать детей

English: the prodigal son

Origin: But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. (Luke 15. 11 - 32)

German: der verlorene Sohn

Russian: Блудный сын

English: to pour out one's soul to smb. (modern meaning: to open /to pour out/ one's heart to smb.)

Origin: But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman sorely troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. (1 Samuel 1.12-15.)

German: das Herz vor j-m ausschütteln

Russian: излить (изливать) душу

English: the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire (modern meaning: the futility of education for some people)

Origin: It has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire. (2 Peter 2.22)

German: Die Sau wälzt sich nach der Schwemme wieder im Dreck

Russian: Вымытая свинья идет валяться в грязи

English: to see the speck in other's eye (modern meaning: to see faults of others and not one's own)

Origin: Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7.3 -5 )

German: den Splitter in Bruders Auge sehen

Russian: сучок в глазу замечать

English: unclean spirit (modern meaning: devil, satan)

Origin: And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. (Matthew 10.1.)

German: unreiner Geist

Russian: Нечистый дух

English: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

Origin: (Matthew 26.41)

German: Der Geist ist willig; aber das Fleisch ist schwach

Russian: Дух бодр, плоть (же) немощна

English: as many as the stars of heaven

Origin: Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. (Hebrew 11.12.)

German unzählbar, wie die Sterne am Himmel sein

Russian: (много) как звезд на небе

English: star differs from star in glory (modern meaning: people differ from each other)

Origin: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory (1 Corinthians 15.41.)

German: ein Stern unterscheidet sich vom andern durch seinen Glanz

Russian: звезда от звезды разнствует во славе

English: Thou shalt not steal.

Origin: (Exodus 20.15.)

German: Du sollst nicht stehlen.

Russian: Не укради

English: the keystone (the cornerstone) of smth. (modern meaning: base, idea, essential point)

Origin: Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation (Isaiah 28.16.)

German: einen kostbaren Eckstein

Russian: краеугольный камень

English: the stones will cry out (modern meaning: smth. appalling)

Origin: He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." (Luke 19.40.)

German: die Steine werden schreien

Russian: Камни возопиют (вопиют)

English: be the first to throw a stone

Origin: And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8.7.)

German: Wer ohne Sünde ist, der werfe den ersten Stein.

Russian: Кто из вас без греха, пусть первым бросит (в нее, в него, в них) камень

English: don't let one stone upon another (modern meaning: to tear smth. to pieces /to tatters/ )

Origin: But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." (Matthew 24.2.)

German: Es wird hier nicht ein Stein auf dem andern bleiben

Russian: Камня на камне не оставить

English: Every man is stupid and without knowledge 

Origin: (Jeremiah 10.14.)

German: Alle Menschen sind Toren

Russian: Безумствует человек в свом знании

English: by /in/ the sweat of one's brow (modern meaning: to do smth. with effort)

Origin: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.(Genesis, 3. 19.)

German: Im Schweiße des Angesichts

Russian: В поте лица своего

English: a sword with two edges (modern: 1. double-effects 2. about smth very dangerous)

Origin: For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. (Psalms 5.3. )

German: scharf wie ein zweischneidiges Schwert sein

Russian: обоюдоострый мечь

English: to beat swords into ploughshares (modern meaning: to turn from war to peace policy)

Origin: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2.4.)

German: die Schwerter zu Pflugscharen machen

Russian: перековать мечи на орала

English: to bring a sword (modern meaning: to come with war )

Origin: I have not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10.34-36)

German: Ich bin nicht gekommen, Frieden zu bringen, sondern das Schwert

Russian: Не мир принес я но меч

T

English: to hide one's talents in a napkin (modern meaning: waste of talent)

Origin: But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. (Matthew 25.14-30.)

German: sein Talent verkummern lassen

Russian: зарыть талант в землю

English: A disciple is not above his teacher

Origin: "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master (Matthew 10.24 - 25.)

German: Der Jünger steht nicht über dem Meister

Russian: Ученик не выше учителя

English: with a gnash of the teeth (to grind the teeth)

Origin: I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." (Matthew 8.12.)

German: mit Zähneklappern

Russian: (плач и) скрежет зубовный

English: to drive smb. from the temple (modern meaning: to banish smb.)

Origin: In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all (John 2.14 - 15.)

German: die Tempelreinigung

Russian: изгнать (изгонять) из храма

English: lead us not into temptation

Origin: (Matthew 6.13.)

German: führe uns nicht in Versuchung

Russian: не введи (нас) в искушение

English: like a thief in the night (modern meaning: abruptly, quietly)

Origin: For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5.2.)

German: wie ein Dieb in der Nacht

Russian: яко тать в нощи (ночи)

English: doubting Thomas (modern meaning: a doubting person)

Origin: Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." ²⁸ Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20.24 - 29)

German: Ungläubiger Thomas

Russian: Фома неверующий

English: the voice of /like/ thunder (to speak very loudly)

Origin: Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" (Revelation 6.1.)

German: wie mit einer Donnerstimme sagen

Russian: (говорить) громовым голосом

English: all in good time

Origin: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1.)

German: Ein jegliches hat seine Zeit, und alles Vorhaben unter dem Himmel hat seine Stunde

Russian: Всему свое время

English: A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together (modern meaning: all in its proper time)

Origin: (Ecclesiastes 3. 3-5. )

German: Steine wegwerfen hat seine Zeit, Steine sammeln hat seine Zeit

Russian: Время разбрасывать камни и время собирать камни

English: all has its time and chance (modern meaning: timeliness)

Origin: Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9.11.)

German: Alles liegt an Zeit und Glück

Russian: Всему свое время (и свой случай)

English: (to interpret) the signs of the times (modern meaning: to see and interpret changes)

Origin: You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16. 1 - 4.)

German: die Zeichen der Zeit (urteilen)

Russian: знамение времени (видеть)

English: from toe to crown (modern meaning: from head to foot)

Origin: The LORD will smite you on the knees and on the legs with grievous boils of which you cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head. (Deuteronomy 28.35.)

German: von den Fußsohlen bis zum Scheitel

Russian: с головы до ног

English: a soft tongue will break a bone (modern meaning: the power of words)

Origin: With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. ( Proverbs 25.15.)

German: eine linde Zunge zerbricht Knochen

Russian: Мягкие слова кости ломят

English: The tongue is a little member and boasts of great things

Origin: (James 5.8 - 12 )

German: die Zunge ein kleines Glied und richtet große Dinge an

Russian: Язык небольшой член, но много делает

English: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth (modern meaning: superiority of spirituality over material possessions)

Origin: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6.19 - 21)

German: Ihr sollt euch nicht Schätze sammeln auf Erden

Russian: Не копите сокровищь в скрытнях, копите же в сердце своем

English: The tree of the knowledge (modern meaning: source of knowledge or information)

Origin: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2. 17)

German: der Baum der Erkenntnis (des Guten und Bösen)

Russian: Дерево познания (добра и зла)

English: What is truth? (modern meaning: the formula of skepticism)

Origin: Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again. (John 18.38.)

German: Was ist Wahrheit?

Russian: Что есть истина?

V

English: (All is) vanity of vanities

Origin: Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1.2.)

German: Es ist alles ganz eitel

Russian: (Все) суета сует

English: the voice of one crying in the wilderness (modern meaning: ineffective, unnoticed appeal)

Origin: The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness (Isaiah 40.3.)

German: eine Stimme in der Wüste

Russian: Глас вопиющего в пустыне

W

English: Inscrutable are the God's ways!

Origin: O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11.33.)

German: unerforschlich sind die Wege Gottes

Russian: Пути господни (божьи) неисповедимы

English: Those who are well have no need of a physician (modern meaning: the strength of faith)

Origin: But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew)

German: Die Starken bedürfen des Arztes nicht

Russian: Здоровому врач не нужен

English: wife must respect her husband

Origin: however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5.33.)

German: die Frau ehrt den Mann

Russian: жена да убоиться мужа своего

English: the windows of the heavens (modern meaning: (humorously) heavy rain)

Origin: On that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened (Genesis 7.11 - 12.)

German: Die Fenster des Himmels taten sich auf

Russian: Разверзлись хляби небесные

English: The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Origin: ( Psalms 3.35. )

German: Die Weisen werden Ehre erben, aber die Toren werden Schande davontragen

Russian: Мудрые наследуют славу, а глупые - бесславие

English: Do not make yourself overwise!

Origin: Be not righteous overmuch, and do not make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself? (Ecclesiastes 7.16.)

German: Sei nicht allzu weise.

Russian: не выставляй себя слишком мудрым

English: be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (modern meaning: to be guided by a clear mind but to be innocent)

Origin: (Matthew 10.16.)

German: seid klug wie die Schlangen und ohne Falsch wie die Tauben

Russian: быть мудрым как змей и простым как голубь

English: to call God to witness (modern meaning: to cross one's heart)

Origin: But I call God to witness against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth (2 Corinthians 1.23.)

German: Ich rufe aber Gott zum Zeugen an

Russian: призвать (призывать) Бога в свидетели

English: In the beginning was the word

Origin: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1.1.)

German: Im Anfang war das Wort

Russian: в начале было слово

English: work of smb. hands

Origin: For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 31.29.)

German: das Werk seiner Hande

Russian: дело рук

English: a man should enjoy his work

Origin: So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should enjoy his work (Ecclesiastes 3.22.)

German: ein Mensch sei fröhlich in seiner Arbeit

Russian: Нет ничего лучше, как наслаждаться человеку делами своими

English: the wind returns on its circuits (modern meaning: to bring back)

Origin: The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. (Ecclesiastes 1.6. )

German: Der Wind geht wieder herum an den Ort, wo er anfing.

Russian: (возвращаться) на круги своя

English: Who sowns the wind will reap the whirlwind

Origin: They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8.7.)

German: wer säet Wind wird Sturm ernten

Russian: Кто сеет ветер, пожнет бурю

English: to talk /to preach/ to the wind(s) (modern meaning: to speak in vain)

Origin: So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. (1 Corinthians 14.9.)

German: in den Wind reden

Russian: на ветер говорить (бросать слова)

English: The wind blows where it wills (modern meaning: unpredictability)

Origin: The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." (John 3.8.)

German: Der Wind bläst, wo er will

Russian: дух веет (дышит), где хочет

English: to put new wine into old wineskins (modern meaning: passing from the old to the new generation)

Origin: Neither is new wine put into old wineskins (Matthew 9.17.)

German: Man füllt auch nicht neuen Wein in alte Schläuche

Russian: Не вливают молодое вино в старые мехи

English: a wolf in a lamb's skin /in sheep's clothing/ (modern meaning: covert threat)

Origin: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7.15)

German: die Wölfe in Schafskleidern

Russian: Волк в овечьей шкуре

English: If any one will not work, let him not eat

Origin: For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3.10.)

German: Wer nicht arbeiten will, der soll auch nicht essen

Russian: кто не работает, тот не ест