540、这就是天堂与地狱之间的平衡。那些在灵人界的人就处在这平衡中，因为灵人界在天堂与地狱之间。通过它，世人也都被保持在类似的平衡中，因为主藉着灵人界的灵人掌管世人，这在下文适当的章节中说明。｛注1｝如果不是主同时掌管天堂和地狱并调控这两边，就不可能有这种平衡。如果不是这样，源于邪恶的伪谬就会占优势，影响天堂最外层的单纯的善人，因为他们比天使本身更容易被误导。这会摧毁平衡，人的自由也会随之被毁灭。
｛注1｝：【英295】参见第600节。
------------
540. 这就是天堂与地狱之间的平衡. 那些在灵人界的人便处于这种平衡, 因为灵人界在天堂与地狱的中间. 所有世人也从这一源头被保持在类似的平衡中, 因为主藉着灵人界的灵人掌管世人, 这在后面的专门章节有所说明. 若非主同时掌管天堂和地狱, 并调控这两边, 这种平衡是不可能的. 否则, 源于邪恶的虚假就会占据主导地位, 影响天堂最外层的简单善人, 因为他们比天使自己更容易被误导; 这会摧毁平衡, 而人的自由也会与这平衡一道灭亡.
------------
540. 這就是天國與地獄之間的平衡, 靈界的人處於平衡之中, 因為靈界居於天國與地獄之間。世上之人也被保守在平衡之中, 因為主藉靈界之靈來主導世上之人。
這種平衡只有在主同時掌管天國和地獄的前提下才可能實現。否則, 惡與謬必要超越界線, 影響天國最外層的單純的善靈(相比天人, 他們更容易受到誘惑)。那樣, 平衡就會遭到破壞, 人的自由也將一併喪失。
540. This, then, is the balance between heaven and hell. People in the world of spirits are in this balance, since the world of spirits is halfway between heaven and hell. So too we in the world are kept in the same kind of balance, since the Lord governs us in the world by means of spirits in the world of spirits, a subject I shall deal with below in a separate chapter.
This kind of balance would not be possible unless the Lord ruled both heaven and hell and regulated both. Otherwise, malicious falsity would cross the boundaries and affect the simple, good people who are in the outmost parts of heaven, people who are more easily misled than actual angels. This would destroy the balance, and with the balance would go our freedom.
------------
540. Such, then, is the equilibrium between heaven and hell. Those who are in the world of spirits are in that equilibrium, for the world of spirits is midway between heaven and hell. By it also all men in the world are kept in a like equilibrium, since men in the world are ruled by the Lord by means of spirits in the world of spirits, as will be shown below in the appropriate section. No such equilibrium would be possible unless the Lord ruled both heaven and hell and regulated both sides. Otherwise, falsities from evil would preponderate, and would affect the simple good who are in the ultimates of heaven, and who can be more easily perverted than the angels themselves; and thereby equilibrium would perish, and with it freedom with men.
------------
540. Such, then, is the equilibrium between heaven and hell. Those who are in the world of spirits are in that equilibrium, for the world of spirits is midway between heaven and hell. From the same source all men in the world are kept in a like equilibrium, since men in the world are ruled by the Lord by means of spirits in the world of spirits, as will be shown hereafter in its own chapter. No such equilibrium would be possible unless the Lord ruled both heaven and hell and regulated both sides. Otherwise falsities from evil would preponderate, and would affect the simple good who are in the outmosts regions of heaven, and who can be more easily perverted than the angels themselves; and thereby equilibrium would perish, and with it freedom in men.
------------
540. Hoc nunc est aequilibrium inter caelum et infernum. illi qui in mundo spirituum sunt, in illo aequilibrio sunt, nam mundus spirituum est medius inter caelum et infernum; et inde quoque omnes homines in mundo in simili aequilibrio tenentur, nam homines in mundo reguntur a Domino per spiritus qui in mundo spirituum sunt de qua re infra in suo articulo agendum est. Tale aequilibrium non dari potest, nisi Dominus regat utrumque tam caelum quam infernum, ac utrinque moderetur; alioqui falsa ex malo superabundarent, et afficerent simplices bonos qui in ultimis caeli sunt, qui facilius perverti quam ipsi angeli possunt, et sic periret aequilibrium, et cum aequilibrio liberum apud homines.