One of the defining characteristics of God is his holiness. It's stressed far more than any other characteristic. Holiness is about being separate, different from the world around. God is like no one else and no one else is like God. His holiness means his claims on us are absolute; he has no rivals.

In the New Testament the focus shifts from the holiness of God to the holiness of believers. God's people are called to imitate him, to be holy as well, but their holiness is of a different order to his. It is shown in how we live and how we behave to one another.

Here are 10 Bible verses about holiness.

1. Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11)

2. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness. (1 Chronicles 16:29)

3. Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days. (Psalm 93:5)

4. When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. (Isaiah 29:23)

5. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. (Isaiah 35:8)

6. I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 38:23)

7. Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

8. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

9. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

10. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)