9251. 'You shall not follow a multitude into evil things' means not being associated with such things, that is to say, with those mentioned above, namely listening to false ideas, obeying malevolent feelings, and affirming such things as are contrary to the good of charity. These are the 'evil things' that are meant. 'Following after a multitude' means being with many, thus being associated with them. For the original language speaks of 'being after', 'going after', and 'walking after', which are used to mean being with and following, and so being associated with, as in Jeremiah 7:9; 11:10; 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Kings 14:8; Deuteronomy 4:3; 8:19; and elsewhere.
