9265. 'And you shall not accept a gift' means detesting any kind of gain. This is clear from the meaning of 'a gift' as anything worldly that is loved, whether it is riches, positions, reputation, or something else that gratifies the natural man, for these worldly things generally are called gain and in the internal sense are what is meant by 'a gift' which blinds and perverts; and from the meaning of 'not accepting' as detesting, for unless such gain is detested it is still looked for and accepted. It is detested when what is heavenly and Divine is loved more than what is worldly and earthly; for to the extent that one is loved the other is hated, as accords with the Lord's words in Luke,