135. * said have to do with these matters, namely, why evil must be driven out so slowly, and "not in one year," etc. etc. mThis can be illustrated to some extent by fruit, which being at first unripe and tasting badly, later ripens, fills out, becomes sweet; thus [there must be] temptations, etc. etc.n* [Evil; Regeneration] [See also the rest of WE 4624, concluding the explanation of verse 31.] 4625. [Exod. 23:] verse 32. Evils must never be united to goodness, that is, "you shall make no covenant"; for if they are united, the person can never become spiritual. It must be as if he did not know evil, although it is present in some form, so secretly that it contributes, as has been said [above], to the feeling of goodness and to the recognition of it, and of truth. * In the original this paragraph is emphasized by the symbol "NB." written to its left.