Excellent Things That Declare Pure From Impure

Midrash Mishlei 8:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Hear, for I will speak excellent things (negidim)" (Prov. 8:6) — what are "excellent things" (negidim)? Words that declare (maggidim) the distinction between the impure and the pure, and between the forbidden and the permitted. "And the opening of my lips shall be right things" (Prov. 8:6) — words that open up for you the innermost chambers on high. "For my mouth shall utter truth" (Prov. 8:7) — this is for the person who sits and occupies himself with the words of Torah; but when a person inclines his ear and his lips to words of scoffing, then at once "and wickedness is an abomination to my lips" (Prov. 8:7). "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them" (Prov. 8:8) — this teaches you that as long as one occupies himself with righteousness, he never stumbles: "They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge" (Prov. 8:9).

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