Verses 1-11. Instruction with regard to those who are in good without truths, and with regard to their salvation.

Verses 1-4. Their origin and quality are described, and also their earnest desire for salvation and for the knowledge of the truth.

Verses 5-11. Only Divine Truth conjoined with Divine Good can decide, and give the laws of order in this case.

Verses 12-14. Concerning the separation of those who have been in merely representative worship, or in external worship without internal, and thence in mistaken zeal, that they may have a general view of heavenly principles in all their beauty, but cannot realize them.

Verses 15-23. But, on the other hand, that those who are governed by the truth combating against evil, provided they contend in subordination to Divine Good and Divine Truth, will ultimately do so, if they are obedient.