Martin Luther, the man who sparked the Reformation in the early 16th century, was not only an astute theologian but also a clever wordsmith. In addition to shaking up Europe's religious thinking by preaching salvation based on faith rather than works, he also helped shaped the German language.
Luther's German translation of the New Testament was first published in 1522, while the entire Bible was printed in 1534. The text helped streamline the German language of the time and included expressions that continue to be used to this day - such as "casting pearls before swine" and "separating the wheat from the chaff."
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