Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
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Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things. And it came to pass that I did read many things to them which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands among people of old. 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses. But that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning. 24 Wherefore, I spake unto them, saying, Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off. Hear ye the words of the prophet which were written unto all the house of Israel and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off.
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So, I taught my brothers these things. I also read to them from the brass plates, so they could learn what the Lord had done in other lands among former people. 23 I read to them many things from the books of Moses. But in order to more completely persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, I read to them what the prophet Isaiah had written. I applied all scriptures to us, to educate and benefit us. 24 Therefore I said to them: Listen to the prophet’s words, you who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch that’s been broken off. Listen to the prophet’s words written to all the house of Israel and apply them to yourselves, so you can have hope as well as your Israelite relatives from whom you’ve been broken off.
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For after this manner has the prophet written: 20 Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel and are come forth out of the waters of Judah (or out of the waters of baptism), who swear by the name of the Lord and make mention of the God of Israel; yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. 2 Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name. 3 Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them. I did shew them suddenly. 4 And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck was an iron sinew, and thy brow brass. 5 And I have, even from the beginning, declared to thee; before it came to pass, I shewed them thee. And I shewed them for fear lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image and my molten image hath commanded them. 6 Thou hast heard and seen all this, and will ye not declare them? And that I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them? 7 They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not, they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say, Behold, I knew them. 8 Yea, and thou heardest not, yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened. For I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously and wast called a transgressor from the womb. 9 Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. 10 For behold, I have refined thee; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11 For mine own sake — yea, for mine own sake — will I do this; for how should I suffer my name to be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another.
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This is what the prophet wrote: 20 Hear and follow this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel and have been through the waters of Judah (or through the waters of baptism), who testify using the name of the Lord and refer to the God of Israel; but who testify falsely and never righteously. 2 Despite this, they call themselves part of the holy city, without obeying the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; indeed, the Lord of Hosts is His name. 3 Know this, I’ve announced prior events from the beginning; and they were established by My words, and I made them happen. I caused them exactly as foretold. 4 And I did it because I knew you are stubborn, and you refuse to bow your neck or your hard head like brass. 5 I have warned you, even from the beginning; before it happened, I forewarned you. I revealed them because I expected you would say: My idol accomplished this, my religious icon and my gold statue have accomplished it. 6 You’ve heard and seen all this, and won’t you admit it? And I’ve revealed to you new things now, even hidden things, and will you claim you already know them? 7 They’re revealed now, and not from the beginning; and you’re learning it now and never before. I’m telling you now to prevent you from saying: I already knew about it. 8 But you won’t hear, you won’t understand, because you refuse to listen. I’ve always known you were deceitful and have been lawless from your birth. 9 Nevertheless, for My reputation I’ll delay punishing you, and to show I’m merciful I won’t cut you off. 10 But remember, I’ll reform you through hardships you will suffer. 11 For My reputation — yes, to prove I’m trustworthy — I do these things. Should I be willing to let My name be dishonored? I won’t let people worship another.
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12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he: I am the First, and I am also the Last. 13 Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens; and I call unto them and they stand up together. 14 All ye, assemble yourselves and hear: Who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him; yea, and he will fulfill his word which he hath declared by them. And he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans 15 also, saith the Lord. I, the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called him to declare; I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
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12 Listen to Me, descendants of Jacob, and Israel as I called you, for I Am: I Am the First, and I Am also the Last. 13 My hand has also laid the foundation of the earth, and My power upholds the organized heavens. I’ve ordained it all and the creation continually obeys Me. 14 All of you, gather together and hear this: Who among you has revealed these things to you? The Lord has loved Jacob; yes, He’ll fulfill His promises He has revealed in prophecy. And He’ll do as He pleases with Babylon, and He’ll also confront the Chaldeans. 15 Also, says the Lord, I the Lord, indeed, I’ve spoken; I’ve called My prophet to declare; I’ve brought him, and he’ll succeed in his mission.
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16 Come ye near unto me. I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God and his spirit hath sent me. 17 And thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I have sent him. The Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it. 18 Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments; then had thy peace been as a river and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. 19 Thy seed also had been as the sand, the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof. His name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
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16 Come near unto Me and hear this. From the beginning I haven’t spoken in secret; from the time anything existed, I was there. (Now the Lord God has sent me, endowed with His Spirit.) 17 The Lord your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: I the Lord am your God, teaching you for your own benefit. Guiding you in the way you should go. 18 If only you would obey My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your prosperity uninterrupted like the waves of the sea. 19 Your offspring would be as many as the sand, their descendants as many as the grains of sand. Their name would never be cut off or end before Me.
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20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth, say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob 21 and they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts, he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out. 22 And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
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20 Go away from Babylon, flee from Chaldea; loudly shout this, announce this, send this message to the ends of the earth! Say: The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob! 21 They have never thirsted; He led them through the deserts, He made water flow out of the rock for them; He split the rock and the waters gushed out. 22 And despite all this and even greater things, the Lord states: There’s no peace for the wicked.
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21 And again, Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people, yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far. The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me 3 and said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
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21 Listen, scattered Israel, who have been divided and scattered because of your corrupt priests. Listen, you people who are far away: The Lord appointed me before I was born; He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow of His hand and made me a polished arrow, hiding me in His quiver. 3 And He said to me: You are My servant Israel in whom I glory. 4 Then I said: I thought I had labored without success, I’ve used my strength to produce only empty breath. But the Lord is the judge of it.
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5 And now saith the Lord, that formed me from the womb, that I should be his servant to bring Jacob again to him. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. 6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful. 8 Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee. And I will preserve thee and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages, 9 that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth — to them that sit in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. 11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. 12 And then, O house of Israel, behold, these shall come from far, and lo, these from the north, and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim.
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5 And now the Lord has decided — He who formed me in the womb to be His servant to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel may be restored, and has honored me in His sight, my God has given me strength. 6 And He said: Is it not enough that you should be My servant I use to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel? Then I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 7 This is what the Lord said, the Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One, to the despised ones, to the hated nations, to the slaves of rulers: Kings will see and stand up, princes and nobles will fall down before you to honor the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel. 8 The Lord said: In an hour of favor I answered you even if on the islands of the sea, and on a day of salvation I helped you. And I’ll preserve My people and will yet show My will through them, to restore My covenant with a remnant upon the earth, and they’ll inherit My renewed birthright as the chosen people, 9 Saying to the prisoners: Go free; and to those in darkness: Move yourselves into the light. They’ll feed along the roadways, and on every high place will I feed them. 10 They won’t be hungry or thirsty, hot winds and the sun won’t oppress them; because He who loves them will lead them. He’ll guide them to springs of water. 11 I’ll make My temple a path to the heavens and the roads from it will exalt. 12 Then, O house of Israel, Look! They’re coming from far away, amazingly, from the north, and from the west, and these from the far east.
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13 Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains, for they shall be smitten no more. For the Lord hath comforted his people and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 14 But behold, Zion hath said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me — but he will shew that he hath not. 15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 17 Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers, and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
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13 Let the heavens shout, and rejoice on earth, for those scattered are returning; and begin shouting upon the mountains, for the Lord has brought comfort to His people and lovingly embraced His afflicted people. 14 But Zion says: The Lord has abandoned me, my Lord has forgotten me — but He’ll show that He has not. 15 Can a woman forget her baby, or abandon her newborn? Even if she were to forget, I can never forget you, house of Israel. 16 Look, I have cuts in the palms of My hands to remember you; your cities are continually watched by Me. 17 Your children will return quickly, those who attacked and assaulted you will run from you.
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18 Lift up thine eyes round about and behold, all these gather themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on, even as a bride. 19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants. And they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. 20 The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the first, shall again in thine ears say, The place is too strait for me, give place to me that I may dwell. 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been?
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18 Look up and all around you and see: the scattered are gathering, coming back to you! As certain as I live, declares the Lord, you’ll embrace them like necklaces around your neck, as welcome to you as a marrying bride. 19 As for your ruins and desolated places, and lands that were laid waste, they’re recovered and soon to be crowded with settlers. While those who fought you will be driven away from you. 20 The children you thought had been lost will yet say to you: The place is too crowded for me, give me another place to settle. 21 And you’ll say to yourself: Who’s born these children for me? When I thought I was left barren and grieving, exiled and hated, who raised these children for me? I was alone; where have these children been?
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22 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the gentiles and set up my standard to the people. And they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers. They shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 24 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 25 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captive of the mighty shall be taken away and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered, for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee and I will save thy children. 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine. And all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
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22 The Lord God declares: I’ll raise My hand to the Gentiles and set My banner flying to invite people to gather. And they’ll bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters carried on their shoulders. 23 And kings will tend your children, and their queens will serve as nurses. They’ll bow down to you, face to the ground, and clean the dust from your feet; and you’ll know that I Am the Lord, for those who trust Me won’t be ashamed. 24 Can the chains imposed by the powerful be broken or the enslaved be freed? 25 Yet the Lord proclaims: Even those suffering in terrible bondage will be freed, and all the chains binding down mankind will be broken. For I’ll fight for you, and I’ll liberate your children. 26 I’ll make the tyrants eat their own flesh; they’ll be drunk with their own blood as if it was wine. And everyone will realize that I the Lord am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.