9284. 'It shall not be heard on your lips' means that they should not obey them or in any way affirm them. This is clear from the meaning of 'hearing' as obeying, dealt with in 2542, 3869, 4652-4660, 5017, 7216, 8361; and from the meaning of 'not being on the lips' - when it refers to teachings that present what is false, meant by 'the name of other gods' - as not affirming. The reason why the name of other gods was not to be mentioned or to be heard on their lips was in order that heavenly and Divine things which were the Lord's might be represented by all the statutes, judgements, and commandments that were decreed. And those things were indeed represented as long as they uttered Jehovah's name and worshipped Him; for then what was Divine and the Lord's was present, and heaven with Him. But when they uttered the name of other gods and worshipped them hellish things were represented, for spirits from hell were present, who wished to be worshipped as gods. This is the unceasing desire of those in hell, because self-love and love of the world reign there, see 3881 (end).