519. The nature of these people can be illustrated by various comparisons.

They are like church buildings full of dragon spirits and people meant by the locusts in the Book of Revelation. They are like pulpits where there is no copy of the Word, because it has been hidden under foot.

They are like [a building with] exterior walls covered in beautifully colored plaster, but screech owls and dreadful night birds are flying around inside because the windows were left open. They are like whitewashed tombs in which lie the bones of the dead. They are like gilded coins made out of dregs or dried dung. They are like bark and pith around a core of rotted wood. They are like the vestments of the sons of Aaron worn on a leprous body. They are like wounds that are thought to have been cured, but infecting pus remains just under a thin surface of skin.

Who does not know that outward holiness and inward profaneness do not go together?

People like this are more afraid than others to examine themselves. As a result they are no more aware of the vices that are inside them than they are of the foul-smelling contents of their own intestinal tract before they excrete them into the latrine.

Be careful, however, not to confuse the people I have just mentioned with those who live good lives and have good beliefs. Also, do not confuse them with those who are practicing repentance from some sins and who pray or quietly say an oral confession like [the one above] to themselves, perhaps during worship and especially in times of spiritual crisis. It is common for a confession like this both to precede and to follow reformation and regeneration.

216. Because of its heavenly meaning, the Word at the inmost part of its core is like a gentle flame that kindles us. Because of its spiritual meaning, the Word at the mid-part of its core is like a light that enlightens. Because of its earthly meaning, then, the Word on the outermost level is like a translucent object that receives both of the above. The flame makes it fiery red and the light makes it shining white, like snow. Therefore it is either like a ruby or a diamond. Because of the heavenly flame it is like a ruby. Because of the spiritual light it is like a diamond.

Since this is the nature of the Word in its literal meaning, therefore the Word in this meaning is represented

1. by the precious stones that constituted the foundations of the New Jerusalem;

2. by the Urim and Thummim on Aaron's ephod;

3. by the precious stones from the garden of Eden that the king of Tyre is said to have worn;

4. by the curtains, veils, and pillars in the tabernacle;

5. and by the exteriors of the Temple in Jerusalem.

6. When the Lord was transfigured he represented the Word in its glory.

7. The Nazirites represented the power of the Word in its outermost form.

8. The Word has indescribable power.

These points need individual explanations.