425.“有能力赐给它们，好像地上的蝎子有能力一样”表说服人们相信他们的虚假是真理的能力。“蝎子”表示致命的说服力；“地上的蝎子”表示在涉及教会的事上的说服力，“地”表示教会（285节）；因为蝎子蜇了人，就是使四肢麻痹，若不及时治疗，就会导致死亡；他们的说服力对认知或理解力就能造成相对应的后果。在以下经文中，“蝎子”的含义也是如此：
你们不要因他们和他们的话就害怕，他们原是悖逆的；你又住在蝎子中间，他们面无羞耻，心里刚硬。（以西结书2:4，6）
耶稣对祂差遣出去的七十个人说，看哪，我已经给你们权柄可以践踏蛇和蝎子，又胜过仇敌一切的能力；断没有什么能害你们。（路加福音10:19）
425. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. This symbolizes their power to persuade that their falsities are true.
A scorpion symbolizes a deadly persuasiveness, and a scorpion of the earth a deadly persuasiveness in matters having to do with the church, as the earth symbolizes the church (no. 285). For when a scorpion stings a person, it produces a numbness in the limbs, and if it is not treated, death. Persuasiveness does something similar to the intellect. A scorpion, moreover, has the same symbolism in the following places:
...do not be afraid of them or... of their words; they are... thorny..., ...you dwell among scorpions... ...they are brazen-faced and hard-hearted... (Ezekiel 2:4, 6)
(Jesus said to the seventy He had sent out,) "Behold, I give you the power to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, even so that nothing whatever hurts you. (Luke 10:19)
425. 'And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the land have power' signifies the power of persuading that their untruths are truths. By 'a scorpion' is signified deadly persuasiveness, and by 'a scorpion of the land' persuasiveness in the things of the Church, for 'land' signifies the Church (285); for when a scorpion stings a man it produces a numbness of the limbs and, if this is not cured, death. Their persuasiveness produces a like effect upon the understanding. Such persuasiveness is also signified by 'scorpion' in these statements:
Be not thou frightened by them and their words, they are full of thorns, thou art dwelling among scorpions, they are hard-faced and stiff-hearted. Ezekiel 2:4, 6.
Jesus said unto the seventy whom He sent forth, Behold, I give unto you the power of treading upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy, so that nothing shall by any means harm you. Luke 10:19.
425. And unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power, signifies the power of persuading that their falsities are truths. By "a scorpion" is signified a deadly persuasive power; and, by "a scorpion of the earth," persuasive power in things relating to the church, "the earth" signifying the church, (285); for a scorpion, when he stings a man, induces a stupor upon the limbs, and if it is not cured, death; their persuasion produces a corresponding effect upon the understanding. Such is also the signification of "scorpion" in these passages:
Fear not thou on account of them and their words, they are thorny; thou dwellest among scorpions, they are hard of face and obstinate in heart, (Ezekiel 2:4, 6).
Jesus said unto the seventy whom he had sent forth, Behold, I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you, (Luke 10:19).
425. "Et data illis potestas; sicut habent potestatem scorpii terrae," significat potentiam persuadendi quod falsa illorum sint vera. - Per "scorpium" significatur lethale persuasivum, et per "Scorpium terrae" persuasivum in rebus Ecclesiae, nam "terra" significat Ecclesiam (285); scorpius enim, cum pungit hominem, inducit membris Stuporem, et si non sanatur, lethum; simile inducit illorum persuasivum intellectui. Tale etiam per "scorpium" significatur in his:
"Ne timeto tibi ab illis et verbis illorum; sunt spinosi; inter Scorpios tu habitas; sunt duri faciebus et obfirmati corde," (Ezechiel 2:4, 6);
Jesus dixit ad septuaginta quos emisit, "Ecce do vobis potestatem calcandi super serpentes et Scorpios, et super omnem potestatem inimici, ut nihil tamen vobis quicquam noceat"Luca 10:19).