“Jacob sent messengers before him” – Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon began: “Like a muddied spring and a ruined fount, [so is a righteous man who falls before the wicked]” (Proverbs 25:26). Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said: Just as it is impossible for a spring to be muddied and for a fount to be ruined,6Because the water is flowing, any mud will ultimately be swept away. so it is impossible for a righteous man to fall before the wicked. And like a muddied spring and a ruined fount,7They can be muddied and ruined for a limited time. so is a righteous man who causes himself to fall before the wicked. He was going on his way, and then you are sending to him and saying: “So said your servant, Jacob.”