3581. Peoples shall serve thee. That this signifies the truths of the church, and that “peoples shall bow down themselves to thee” signifies the truths of good, is evident from the mention of serving,” as being concerning truths (n. 2567, 3409); and from the signification of “peoples,” as being truths (n. 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295). By the “peoples” first mentioned are signified the truths of the church, which are called spiritual truths; and by the “peoples” mentioned the second time are signified the truths of good, which are spiritual goods, and are called truths relatively, the goods of charity being such truths. Because there is this distinction, the “peoples” mentioned in the first place and in the second are not expressed in the Hebrew tongue by the same word, but yet by a word somewhat akin.

3295. And the one people shall prevail over the other people. That this signifies that at first truth shall be superior to the good of truth, is evident from the signification of “people,” as being truth (see just above, n. 3294); and from the signification of “prevailing over,” as being superior. The “people” referred to in the first place signifies truth, but the “people” referred to in the second place, the good of truth; the good of truth being that good which comes forth from truth, and which in its first coming forth is truth, but is called good because it appears as good. Hence it is that by “people” is also signified this good, which in its first coming forth is called the good of truth. In order to have some idea of this good, we must know that before a man has been regenerated he does good from truth; but after he has been regenerated he does good from good; or more clearly, before a man has been regenerated he does good from the understanding; but after he has been regenerated, from the will. The good therefore that is from the understanding is not in itself good, but truth, whereas the good which is from the will is good. For example: one who does not honor his parents, but from the commandment of the Decalogue learns to honor them, when first he honors them, does it from the commandment; and as this honor is from the commandment it is not in itself good, because it is not from love, but is either from obedience to the law, or from fear of the law. Nevertheless it is called the good of truth, but in its first coming forth it is truth; for at that time the man does not do good, but truth; whereas when the man honors his parents from love, then it is good. The same is true in all other cases.