peech be Yea, yea, Nay, nay;
what is beyond these is from evil (Matt. 5:37). are explained).
215. In the Lord's spiritual kingdom the government is called
judgment; because those in that kingdom are in spiritual good, which
is the good of charity towards the neighbor, and that good in its
essence is truth;{1} and truth pertains to judgment, as good pertains
to righteousness.{2} These, too, are led by the Lord, but mediately
(n. 208); and in consequence they have governors, few or many
according to the need of the society in which they are. They also
have laws according to which they live together. The governors
administer all things in accordance with the laws, which they
understand because they are wise, and in doubtful matters they are
enlightened by the Lord.
{Footnote 1} Those in the spiritual kingdom are in truths, and
those in the celestial kingdom are in good (n. 863, 875, 927,
1023, 1043, 1044, 1555, 2256, 4328, 4493, 5113, 9596). The good
of the spiritual kingdom is the good of charity towards the
neighbor and this good in its essence is truth (n. 8042,
10296).
{Footnote 2} In the Word "righteousness" is predicated of good,
and "Judgment" of truth therefore "to do righteousness and
judgment" means good and truth (n. 2235, 9857). "Great
judgments" means the law of Divine order, thus Divine truths
(n. 7206).
216. As government from good, which is the kind of government that
exists in the Lord's celestial kingdom, is called righteousness; and
government from truth, which is the kind of government that exists in
the Lord's spiritual kingdom, is called judgment, so the terms
"righteousness and judgment" are used in the Word when heaven and the
church are treated of, "righteousness" signifying celestial good, and
"judgment" spiritual good, which good, as has been said above, is in
its essence truth, as in the following passages:
Of peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David
and upon His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it in
judgment and in righteousness from henceforth and even to
eternity (Isaiah 9:7).
By "David" here the Lord is meant;{1} and by "His kingdom" heaven, as
is evident from the following passage:
I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and He shall
reign as King, and shall deal intelligently and shall
execute judgment and righteousness in the land (Jer.
23:5).
Jehovah is exalted, for He dwe
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