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A preserving and flavoring agent that Jesus used as a metaphor for his followers' influence. 'You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?' (Matthew 5:13). Salt preserved food, symbolized covenant permanence (Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5 — a 'covenant of salt'), and was added to grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13). Colossians 4:6 instructs, 'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.' Mark 9:50 urges, 'Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.' Salt represents the preserving, purifying, and flavoring influence that believers have in a decaying world.