30 Bible Verses about jerusalem

Now there was a certain man named Ananias who with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought the rest which he laid at the apostles feet. upon which Peter said, Ananias, how could satan inspire thine heart to lye to the holy ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? read more.
was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God. at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread. and some young men came and wound him up, then carried him out, and buried him. about the space of three hours after, his wife, not knowing what had happen'd, came in. when Peter addressing himself to her, tell me, said he, have you sold the land for such a price? yes, said she, for so much. then Peter said to her, how comes it that you have conspir'd together, to tempt the spirit of the Lord? see there at the door the men that are come from burying thy husband, and they shall carry thee out likewise. in the instant she fell down dead at his feet: and the young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her by her husband. which affected the whole assembly, and all that heard of it with great dread.

and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!

him that overcomes, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which descends from heaven from my God: even my new name will I write.

Afterwards I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were vanished; and there was no more sea . and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. then I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, "behold, the tabernacle of God is with men: he will dwell with them, they shall be his people, God himself shall be with them, as their God. read more.
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there shall be no more death, sorrow, or crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former state of things is passed away." he that sat upon the throne, said, "behold, I make all things new." and he said write: "for these words are true and authentic."

But tell me, you that are so willing to be under the law, why don't you consider the law? for it is there written, Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. he, who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the ordinary course of nature; but he, who was of the free-woman, was born by virtue of the promise. read more.
these things have an allegorical meaning: the two women signify the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, which is represented by Agar, whose children were born in a state of servitude. this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children: but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all.

but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne: nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

then the devil took Jesus with him to Jerusalem, and having set him on the wing of the temple, he said to him,

the same thing shall happen in the son of man's time as did in Noah's days. eating and drinking, marriages and matches was the business till the very day that Noah entred into the ark, when the flood came and overwhelm'd them all. and as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building: read more.
but the very day that Lot went out of Sodom, a storm of lightning and thunder fell from heaven and destroy'd them all. even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man shall appear. then let not him that is on the house-top venture down to secure his furniture: and he that is in the field, let him not return back. remember Lot's wife. he that seeks to save his life, will expose it; and he that exposes his life, will preserve it. I tell you, that of two persons lying in the same bed that night, the one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken, and the other left: two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. then they ask'd him, where, Lord, will this happen? he reply'd, wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles hover together.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth,

as he drew nigh, he beheld the city, and bewail'd its fate, in these words, "O that thou hadst consider'd, at least in this very day, the opportunity you had of being happy! but now alas! it is vanish'd from your eyes." for the time will shortly come, when your enemies shall open their trenches before thee, hem you in, and closely besiege you: read more.
they will level you to the ground, extirpate your inhabitants, and bury your buildings in ruins: because you have not consider'd the overtures I made you.

Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh. then let those, who are in Judea, fly to the mountains: let those, who are in the city, march out, and those, who are without not venture in. for this is the time of vengeance, when all that is writ, shall be accomplished. read more.
wo to them that are with child, or to them that give suck in those days: for this will be a region of great distress, and wrath will pour down upon this people. by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! know, that your habitation shall be soon turned into a desert.

our fathers worshipped upon this mountain; and you say, that Jerusalem is the place where we ought to perform our worship.

Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the paschal feast.

Some time after this the feast of the Jews being come, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

said he, in taking his leave, I must necessarily keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem: after which I will return to you if God permit.

In the mean time, among the rest that came to worship at the feast,

now when these things begin to appear, then lift up your heads, and behold your redemption drawing nigh.

ye shall hear likewise of wars, and rumours of wars: take care not to be disturb'd: for these things must happen, but the end of the Jewish age is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. yet all this is but the beginning of sorrow. read more.
then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account. then shall many relapse, and shall pursue one another with mutual treachery and hatred. many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool. but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be preserved. and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, to testify to all nations, that the end will then come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth,

thereupon they said to him, master, when shall this happen? and by what sign shall we know that the event is coming? he answered, take care, that you be not seduced: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ. it won't be long e'er this happens, therefore do not follow them. And when ye shall hear of wars, and seditions, be not alarm'd. for these must first happen: but the end will not be so soon. read more.
then nation, said he, shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. great earthquakes, and famines, and pestilences shall happen in divers places: terrible appearances and surprizing prodigies shall be in the heavens.

there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations under confusion, the sea and the waves roaring.

and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

him that overcomes, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which descends from heaven from my God: even my new name will I write.

and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.

by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist.

Then there was given me a reed like a rod: with this direction, rise and measure the temple of God, with the altar, and those that worship therein. but don't measure the court which is without; for it is given to the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they trample under foot two and forty months.

and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea.

Early in the morning the chief priests, the rulers, and Scribes, even the whole council, after having deliberated together, caus'd Jesus to be bound, then led him away and deliver'd him to Pilate.

At length the whole assembly broke up, and Jesus was conducted to Pilate: and thus they began their charge, we found this man subverting our nation, opposing the giving tribute to Cesar, asserting that he himself is Christ the king. then Pilate ask'd him, art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answer'd him, 'tis as you say. read more.
at last Pilate said to the chief priests, and to the people, I don't find any crime in this man. but they were the more vehement, saying, he promotes sedition by speading such doctrine thro' all Judea, from Galilee to this place. when Pilate heard of Galilee, he ask'd whether the man were a Galilean. and finding that he belong'd to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was then likewise at Jerusalem.

Then they led Jesus early in the morning from Caiaphas, to the Pretorium: but the Jews themselves did not enter into the Pretorium, lest they should be defiled: and so not be in a condition to eat the passover. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, what crime do you object to this man?

till then I must be stirring about, to-day, and to-morrow, and the next day: for a prophet cannot be put to death any where, but at Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest those, who are sent unto thee: how often would I have gather'd thy children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and ye would not?"

then the devil took Jesus with him to Jerusalem, and having set him on the wing of the temple, he said to him,

who discours'd about the exit, he was to make at Jerusalem;

as for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and their senators, by their not knowing who he was, and by condemning him, they have accomplished the declarations of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day:

after they had accomplished all that was written concerning him, he was taken down from the cross, and laid in a sepulchre:

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preach'd in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

being with them when they were assembled, he order'd they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the father had promis'd, which, said he, I mention'd.

But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say.

for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream.

and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!

as he drew nigh, he beheld the city, and bewail'd its fate,

then calling two of his centurions, draw out, said he, two hundred foot, seventy horse, and two hundred archers, ready to march to Cesarea by the third hour of the night:

Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went from Cesarea to Jerusalem: when the high priest and the chief of the Jews waited upon him with an information against Paul, "desiring the favour he might be sent for to Jerusalem." they having prepar'd measures to assassinate him upon the road. read more.
Festus answer'd, that Paul was in custody at Cesarea, where he design'd to be himself e'er long: the most considerable, said he, among you may go with me, and if he has committed any crime, let 'em begin the process. Having staid above eight, nay ten days, he went to Cesarea, and on the morrow mounting the tribunal, he order'd Paul to be brought before him. when he appear'd, the Jews, who were come from Jerusalem presented themselves before Festus, and loaded Paul with abundance of accusations, which they were not able to prove. to this he answer'd, "I have not been guilty of any misdemeanour, either against the law, or against the temple, or against Cesar." but Festus willing to oblige the Jews ask'd him, will you consent to go to Jerusalem, and take your trial before me there? "I stand, said Paul, to the tribunal of Cesar, where I ought to be judged. to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself very well know. if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar." upon this, Festus having deliberated with his council, answer'd, "since you have appeal'd to Cesar, to Cesar you shall go." Some days after, king Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea to make Festus a visit.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

when Jesus therefore was twelve years old they went thither, as was customary at the time of that festival.

being with them when they were assembled, he order'd they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the father had promis'd, which, said he, I mention'd.

When the day of pentecost was come, they all met together with one accord. when all of a sudden there came a sound from heaven, like that of an impetuous wind, which filled all the house where they were. and there appeared several little flames, and sat upon each of them: read more.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance. now many devout Jews were residing at Jerusalem, who came from all quarters of the world.

The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair.

and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them.

In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.

and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, and some devout men who carried Stephen to his burial, making great lamentation over him. as for Saul, he made havock of the Church, entring into their houses, whence he dragg'd away both men and women, to throw them into prison. read more.
but they that were dispers'd, preach'd the gospel wherever they went.

and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,

While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadduces came upon them,

this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children: but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all.

while the crowd that were marching before, and behind, cried out, "Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna, Hosanna." and when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was in an uproar, saying, who is this?

in these words, "O that thou hadst consider'd, at least in this very day, the opportunity you had of being happy! but now alas! it is vanish'd from your eyes." for the time will shortly come, when your enemies shall open their trenches before thee, hem you in, and closely besiege you: they will level you to the ground, extirpate your inhabitants, and bury your buildings in ruins: because you have not consider'd the overtures I made you.

Thus Jesus used to teach in the temple by day, and retir'd to the mountain of Olives by night. and every morning the people went to the temple to hear him.

Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh. then let those, who are in Judea, fly to the mountains: let those, who are in the city, march out, and those, who are without not venture in. for this is the time of vengeance, when all that is writ, shall be accomplished. read more.
wo to them that are with child, or to them that give suck in those days: for this will be a region of great distress, and wrath will pour down upon this people. by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist.

and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. it blaz'd with the glory of God: her luminary was like that of a brilliant, even like a jasper, as transparent as crystal. her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon. read more.
on the east were three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and three gates on the west. the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb. he that talked with me, had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. the city was a square, the length being as large as the breadth: he measured the city with the reed, and found it twelve thousand furlongs: the length, the breadth, and the height of it were equal. he measured the wall, and it was an hundred and forty four cubits, according to the common measure, which was what the angel employed. the wall was built of jasper; and the city was of pure gold, as pure as glass. the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones. the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald; the fifth, of sardonyx; the sixth, of sardius; the seventh, of chrysolite; the eighth, of beryl; the ninth, of a topaz; the tenth, of a chrysoprasus; the elventh, of a jacinth; the twelfth, of an amethyst. the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each single gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as splendid as glass. I did not see any temple there: for the Lord God almighty, and the lamb are its temple. the city had no need either of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the luminary thereof. the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth bring all their glory and magnificence into it. the gates of it shall never be shut by day: for no night shall be there. the glory and magnificence of the nations shall be brought into it. and nothing that is impure, no one that is guilty of any abomination, or a lye, shall ever enter there: but they alone who are written in the lamb's book of life.

till then I must be stirring about, to-day, and to-morrow, and the next day: for a prophet cannot be put to death any where, but at Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest those, who are sent unto thee: how often would I have gather'd thy children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and ye would not?"

Now Stephen full of grace and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. when some out of the several synagogues, belonging to the freed men, to the Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and to those of Cilicia, and of Asia, came to dispute with Stephen. but as they were not able to withstand the force of that sublime knowledge which appeared in his discourse, read more.
they suborned men, who said, we have heard him speak irreverently of Moses, and of God. and they stirred up the people, the senators, and the doctors of law, who came and seiz'd him, and brought him to the council, where they produc'd false witnesses, who said, this man is continually inveighing against the holy place, and against the law. for we have heard him say, that Jesus the Nazarene shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us. and all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw an air of majesty in his aspect.

About that time, king Herod Agrippa began to persecute some of the church. he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded. and perceiving that the Jews were pleas'd with this, he proceeded to secure Peter during the feast of unleavened bread: read more.
having apprehended Peter, he put him into prison, appointing a detachment of sixteen soldiers to guard him, intending to have him brought to publick execution, after Easter. thus Peter was kept in prison, but the Church prayed to God, without ceasing, for him, now the very night preceding the day which Herod design'd for his execution, Peter bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the other guards secured the prison door; when an angel of the Lord suddenly appear'd and fill'd the room with light, and touching Peter on the side, awak'd him, saying, rise, be quick. and immediately his chains fell from his hands. put on your girdle, continu'd the angel, and bind on your sandals: which he did. throw your cloak over you, said the angel, and follow me. so he went out after the angel without knowing that what the angel had done, was real; but thinking it was all a vision. when they had pass'd the first and second guard, they came to the iron-gate that leads to the city, which open'd to them of itself: so they went out and pass'd together thro' one street: when all of a sudden the angel quitted Peter. Then coming to himself; now, said he, I know for certain, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has deliver'd me from the hands of Herod, and from what the Jews were in expectation of. then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers. when he had knock'd at the door of the gate, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there. upon hearing Peter tell his name, instead of opening the gate, she ran, out of joy, to tell them, that Peter was there. are you mad? said they. but she persisting that it was even so, they reply'd, it is then his angel. as Peter still continued knocking, they let him in, and seeing it was he, they were extremely surpriz'd: but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place. As soon as it was day, the soldiers were in a world of confusion to know what was become of Peter. Herod having caus'd diligent search to be made, without being able to find him, after examining the guards, he order'd them to execution. after which he departed from Judea, and went to Cesarea, where he resided. Herod was then making warlike preparations against the Tyrians, and Sidonians: but they unanimously sent a deputation to court: where having gain'd Blastus the king's chamberlain, they brought matters to an accommodation: for their country was subsisted by the king's territorys. one court-day, Herod array'd in his robes of state, and seated upon the throne, made a publick oration: at which the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a God, and not of a man. but at the instant an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not glorify God: so that he became a prey to worms and died. In the mean time, the

Simon Peter followed Jesus, with another disciple, who being known to the high priest, was admitted into his palace at the same time with Jesus,

when he was come into Galilee, he was well received by the Galileans, who had seen all that he did at Jerusalem during the feast: for they likewise went to the feast.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, with another disciple, who being known to the high priest, was admitted into his palace at the same time with Jesus,

now near the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, in which no body had ever yet been laid.

in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle.

nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

when king Herod heard these things, he was alarm'd, and all Jerusalem with him.

and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

but you are come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable congress of angels, to the general assembly,

they desired therefore a better, that is, an heavenly country: so that God is very justly stiled their God: for he had appointed a city for them.

and if any one shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall exclude him from any interest in the tree of life, and in the holy city, and in the things which are written in this book."

for he had in view the city, whose foundations are sure, the architect and founder being God.

in our Lord Jesus Christ. but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there: save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me." things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour. read more.
and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias: I therefore declare to you at this present time, that I am not responsible for the ruin of any: for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve. be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears. and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd. I have not desir'd to get from any one either silver, or gold, or apparel. you yourselves can witness, that what was necessary for myself and those who were with me, these very hands have supply'd. my constant example has shown you that the disabled should be assisted by your labours, remembring the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "it is a greater happiness to give than to receive." After this discourse, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. then melted into tears, they fell upon his neck and kissed him, being more particularly afflicted at his having said, "they should see his face no more." and then they conducted him to the ship.

when he had knock'd at the door of the gate, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there.

At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy. to him it was revealed by the holy spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. by the divine direction he came into the temple, just as the parents of Jesus were bringing in the child to perform what the law required in his behalf. read more.
then he took him up in his arms, and returned thanks to God in these words, "now, Lord, thou wilt grant thy servant a happy death, according to thy promise. for mine eyes have beheld the saviour, whom thou hast provided for all mankind, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprized to hear such things pronounc'd concerning him. then Simeon gave them his benediction, and said to Mary his mother, "the child you now see, shall occasion many in Israel to fall and rise again; he will be the Object of calumny, which like a dart will pierce even thro' your own soul, that thereby the sincerity of many may be revealed."