4176. 'These twenty years I have served you in your house' means the proprium. This is clear from the meaning of 'twenty' as the good present in remnants, dealt with in 2280, which good, in reference to the Lord, consists in that which He acquired to Himself, 1906, and so in His proprium; and from the meaning of 'serving' when used in reference to the Lord, as His own power, dealt with in 3975, 3977.

3977. 'For you know my service with which I have served you' means toil and endeavour from His own power. This becomes clear from what has been stated and referred to just above in 3975, and so without any further explanation. But what else these words embody is evident from what has been stated above in 3974 as well as from what follows below.