5613.“若不是我们耽搁”表因犹豫不决的状态而拖延。这从“耽搁”的含义清楚可知，“耽搁”是指犹豫不决的状态。因为正如“去”、“行进”（advancing）、“起行”（travelling）和“寄居”（sojourning）表示生命的状态（参看5605节），“耽搁”则表示犹豫不决的状态，因为当生命的状态处于犹豫不决的状态时，外在就处于拖延的状态。此外，这一点可见于人自己；因为当他心里尚有疑惑，或没有下定决心时，他就会停下来思考该怎么办。原因是，这种犹豫不决带来在两种行动方案之间迟疑不决、摇摆不定的生命状态，因而产生蹒跚的步伐，这种步伐就是犹豫不决的外在结果。由此明显可知“若不是我们耽搁”表示因犹豫不决的状态而拖延。
Potts(1905-1910) 5613
5613. For except we had lingered. That this signifies tarrying in a state of doubt, is evident from the signification of "lingering," as being a state of doubt; for as "going," "advancing," "journeying," and "sojourning" signify states of life (see n. 5605), so "lingering" signifies a state of doubt, because when the state of life is in a state of doubt, then the external is in a state of lingering. Moreover, this is to be seen in man himself; for when his mind hangs in any doubt, he halts and deliberates. The reason is that doubt makes the state of life hesitating and wavering, and consequently the outward progression, which is the effect. Hence it is plain that tarrying in a state of doubt is signified by "except we had lingered."
Elliott(1983-1999) 5613
5613. 'For if perhaps we had not delayed' means lingering in a state of indecision. This is clear from the meaning of 'delaying' as a state of indecision. For just as 'going', 'advancing , 'travelling', and 'sojourning' mean a state of life, 5605, so 'delaying' means a state of indecision; for when a state of life passes into a state of indecision, the external enters a state involving delay. Visual evidence of this presents itself in the person concerned; when his mind is at all undecided he stops in his tracks and ponders what to do. The reason for this is that indecision brings about a state of life in which a person is hesitant and vacillates between two different courses of action, and as a consequence produces a faltering step as the outward effect of that hesitancy. From this it is evident that 'if perhaps we had not delayed' means lingering in a state of indecision.
Latin(1748-1756) 5613
5613. `Quia ni forte tardaverimus': quod significet immorationem in statu dubitationis, constat a significatione `tardare' quod sit status dubitationis, nam sicut `ire, progredi, proficisci, peregrinari' significant statum vitae, n. 5605, ita `tardare' statum dubitationis, nam cum status vitae est in statu dubitationis, tunc externum est in statu tardationis; hoc quoque videndum sistitur in ipso homine {1}, cum mens ejus haeret in aliquo dubio, tunc sistit gradum, et pensitat; causa est quia dubitatio statum vitae haerentem et utrimque pendentem facit, consequenter progressionem externam quae est {2}effectus. Inde patet quod per `ni forte tardaverimus' significetur immoratio in statu dubitationis. @1 i cum in corpore est $ @2 affectus I$