kick against the goads

The Greek proverb which is translated directly by some English versions as “kick against the goads (=a spiked stick used for driving cattle)” and refers to “pointless fighting” became “throw chaff into the wind” in the Khmer Standard Version translation of 2005 (the translators also considered “spit vertically upwards”). (Source David Clark)

In Lalana Chinantec it is translated as “as a bull which kicks a sharp stick which his owner holds so do you,” in Teutila Cuicatec as “you are doing the same as an ox that is hurting itself, kicking the sharp stick that people drive it with,” in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac as “like a horse when it kicks the stick with which it is driven” (source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.), and in Elhomwe as “because you are against me, you are hurting yourself” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

In Russian, the phrase Трудно тебе идти против рожна (Trudno tebe idti protiv rozhna) or “kick against the goads” is widely used as an idiom in every-day life, with the meaning of undertaking a risky action against constraint imposed by tradition or authority. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 63f.)

weeping and gnashing of teeth

The Greek that is translated as “weeping and gnashing of teeth” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with heulen und vor Schmerz mit den Zähnen klappern or “weep and chatter teeth in pain.”

Also in German, the idiom Heulen und Zähneklappern (originally: Heulen und Zähneklappen), which today is used to express anger and outrage, often in a humorous context (literally “weeping and chattering of teeth”), was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 79)

In Russian, this phrase (Плач и скрежет зубов — Plach i skrezhet zubov) is also widely-used as an idiom, although less often in a humorous content. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 45)

In French, the phrase pleurs et des grincements de dents is likewise used as an idiom. (Source: Muller 1991, p. 16)

pearls before swine

The now commonly-used English idiom “pearls before swine” (meaning something valuable presented to someone who doesn’t recognize its worth) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling (cast ye youre) pearles before swyne) (source: Crystal 2010, p. 286). Likewise The now commonly-used German idiom Perlen vor die Säue werfen was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther (source: Günther 2017, p. 90).

In Russian, this phrase (Не мечите бисер перед свиньями — Ne mechite biser pered svin’yami) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here and for other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

they sow the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind

The now commonly-used German idiom wer Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten (literally “whoever sows wind will reap a storm”), was originally not used exactly like that by Luther (he used wer Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten or “whoever sows wind will reap bad weather”) but is now used in its common form in many modern Bible translations, including the Luther Bible, starting in 1964. Today it’s used both as a threat and as a warning. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 114)

In Russian, the phrase is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 79)

For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

the meek shall inherit the earth

The now commonly-used Russian idiom кроткие наследуют землю (krotkiye nasleduyut zemlyu) was first coined in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)

old wives' fables

In Russian, the phrase бабьих басен (bab’ikh basen) or “old wives’ tales” is widely used as an idiom in every-day life , typically referring to nonsense. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 87)

they shall beat their swords into plowshares

In Russian, the phrase перекуют мечи свои на орала (perekuyut mechi svoi na orala) or “they shall beat their swords into plowshares” is widely used in many variations as an idiom in every-day life with the meaning ranging from “changing from war to peace” to “radical tranformation.” This is despite the fact that most modern Russians would not know what the meaning of the old-fashioned term орала (orala) or “plowshare” is. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 90)

for whatsoever a man soweth𖺗 that shall he also reap

In Russian, the phrase Что посеет человек, то и пожнет (Chto poseyet chelovek, to i pozhnet) or “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” is widely used as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 93)