Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 9247

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9247. THE INTERNAL SENSE

Verses 1-3 You shall not take up a report of vanitya; do not put your hand with the wicked to be a witness of violence.b You shall not follow a multitude into evil things;c and you shall not respondd in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert [justice]. And you shall not show partiality towardse a poor man in his dispute.

'You shall not take up a report of vanity' means not listening to false ideas. 'Do not put your hand with the wicked' means not obeying malevolent feelings. 'To be a witness of violence' means not affirming such things as are contrary to the good of charity. 'You shall not follow a multitude into evil things' means not being associated with such things. 'And you shall not respond in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert [justice]' means not being associated with those who turn forms of good and truths into falsities and evils, and vice versa. 'And you shall not show partiality towards a poor man in his dispute' means that no favour must be shown towards the falsities that exist with those who have no knowledge of truth.

Notes

a i.e. accept and spread a report that has no truth in it
b i.e. a malicious witness
c lit. you shall not be after many towards evil things
d i.e. testify
e i.e. not have respect for


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