Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
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6 The words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto the people of Nephi: 2 Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God and ordained after the manner of his Holy Order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector and on whom ye depend for safety, behold, ye know that I have spoken unto you exceeding many things. 3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again, for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been, for I have exhorted you with all diligence. And I have taught you the words of my father, and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written from the creation of the world.
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6 These words were taught by Nephi’s brother, Jacob, to the Nephite people: 2 Be assured, my dear people, that I Jacob have been called by God and ordained into His Holy Order after I was consecrated by my brother Nephi. You trust Nephi as a king or protector and depend on him for safety. You also know I’ve taught you a great many things. 3 But I need to teach you again, because I’m worried about and want to save your souls. I’m very concerned about you. You already know and have heard my continual diligent teaching showing my concerns. I’ve taught you my father’s words, and spoken to you about the teachings that go back to the creation of the world.
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4 And now behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother hath desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak them unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God. 5 And now the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you because ye are of the house of Israel.
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4 Now I’ll speak to you about present and future matters. Therefore I’ll read you Isaiah’s words — the words my brother has asked me to discuss with you. I explain them for your benefit, so you can learn and glorify the name of God. 5 Now the words I’ll read are those Isaiah wrote about the entire house of Israel. So they pertain to you, since you’re from the house of Israel. Indeed, there are many things that have been spoken by Isaiah which are relevant to you because you’re from the house of Israel.
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6 And now these are the words: 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. 7 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers and their queens thy nursing mothers. They shall bow down to thee with their faces 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.
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6 And now these are the words: 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. 7 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.
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8 And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words. For behold, the Lord hath shewn me that those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive; 9 nevertheless, the Lord hath shewn unto me that they should return again. And he also hath shewn unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh. And after he should manifest himself, they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me. 10 And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, behold, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel shall come upon them. And the day cometh that they shall be smitten and afflicted. 11 Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for thus saith the angel, many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be suffered to perish because of the prayers of the faithful. They shall be scattered, and smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the Lord will be merciful unto them, that when they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together again to the lands of their inheritance.
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8 Now I wish to say something about these words. The Lord has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, where we came from, have been killed or taken away as prisoners. 9 Nevertheless, the Lord has shown me they will return home. He has also shown me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, is Himself to come to them in the flesh. And after He comes Himself to live among them, they’ll whip and crucify Him, according to the words of the angel who told it to me. 10 And after they’ve hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against the Holy One of Israel, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel will fall upon them and they will be punished and afflicted. 11 So after they’re driven here and there — this is what the angel said: Many will be afflicted in this life but they won’t be entirely killed because of the prayers of the faithful. They’ll be scattered, punished, and hated. But the Lord in His mercy will remember them, and when they begin to know their Redeemer, they’ll be gathered back to the lands of their inheritance.
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12 And blessed are the gentiles, they of whom the prophet has written. For behold, if it so be that they shall repent, and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved. For the Lord God will fulfill his covenants which he has made unto his children; and for this cause the prophet has written these things. 13 Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah. 14 And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them. Wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believeth in him. 15 And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel. 16 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty? Or the lawful captive delivered? 17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered, for the mighty God shall deliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee; 18 and I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh, and 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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12 And the prophet wrote about the Gentiles who will be blessed. If they repent and don’t fight against Zion nor join that powerful and utterly wicked church, they’ll be saved, because the Lord God will fulfill the covenants He has made to His children. This is why the prophet has written these things. 13 As a result, those who fight against Zion and the Lord’s covenant people will clean the dust from their feet. And the Lord’s people won’t be put to shame, because they’re the ones who put their trust in Him and await the Messiah’s coming. 14 According to the prophet’s words, the Messiah will set about a second time to recover them. So when the time comes that they believe in Him, He’ll reveal Himself to them in power and great glory, bringing about the destruction of their enemies. He won’t destroy anyone who believes in Him. 15 But those who don’t believe in Him will be destroyed by fire, storm, earthquake, slaughter, disease, and famine. They’ll know the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel. 16 Can the chains imposed by the powerful be broken or the enslaved be freed? 17 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. The Lord declares: I’ll fight those who fight you; 18 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.
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7 Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away? Or have I cast thee off for ever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your Mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your Mother put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and I make sackcloth their covering.
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7 Hear, for the Lord says: Have I left you? Or have I abandoned you forever? Where is the divorce decree from your mother? To whom have I sold you? You sold yourselves into slavery through your sins. Your mother was sent away because of your crimes. 2 Why, when I came, was there no one there? Why, when I called, would no one answer? Is My arm too weak to rescue you? Don’t I have the power to save? With merely a rebuke I dry up the sea, and turn rivers into desert, their fish die and rot for lack of water, and they lie dead of thirst. 3 I cover the heavens in blackness as if mourning in sackcloth.
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4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel, when ye are weary. He wakeneth morning by morning; he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiter and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth. 9 For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up. 10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? 11 Behold, all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand: Ye shall lie down in sorrow.
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4 The Lord God has inspired My words, letting Me speak undeniable truths to you, O house of Israel, when you’re doubting Me. He awakens Me each morning, filling My ears with wisdom. 5 The Lord God has spoken into My ear, and I listened as His disciple, and didn’t turn away. 6 I let My back be flogged and let the hair on My cheeks be ripped out. I didn’t stay away from insults and spitting. 7 I know the Lord God will help Me, therefore I feel no disgrace. Accordingly, My face is fixed like flint, and I know I won’t be ashamed. 8 My defender is nearby, supporting Me. Who dares fight with Me? Let’s stand together. Who will be My opponent? Let him approach Me and My rebuke will humble him! 9 Watch, the Lord God will help Me. Any who dares to condemn Me will wear out like an old garment, and moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you reveres the Lord, and listens to the voice of His servant? Although you find yourself in darkness and with no light, you should trust in the Lord. 11 But all of you that light your own fire, that try to see using your sparks, go ahead and walk using the sparks which you’ve lit. But know this from Me: You will painfully fall down.
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8 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged. 2 Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone and blessed him. 3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 4 Hearken unto me, my people, and give ear unto me, O my nation, for a law shall proceed from me and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the people. 5 My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people. The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath, for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner. But my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law. Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
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8 You who pursue justice, listen to Me. You who seek the Lord: Look to the quarry from where you came, and to the bedrock from which you are part. 2 Look back to Abraham your father, and to Sarah, who gave birth to you; for he was alone when I called him but I blessed him and have made him a multitude. 3 Truly the Lord has comforted Zion; repaired all her ruins, and He has made her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the Garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there, with praise and singing. 4 Listen to Me, My people, and understand Me, My nation, for I’ll provide you teachings like a light to guide My people. 5 I’ll provide it timely, when needed. Your eventual success will be provided although scattered on the islands of the seas, if you trust in My arms. 6 Raise your eyes to the heavens and look at the earth below, for if the heavens blew away like smoke, and the earth wore out like a garment, and the people living there were all to die, the victory I promise will still endure forever, and My triumph cannot be thwarted. 7 Listen to Me, you who care about what’s right, you who remember My instructions in your heart! Don’t be afraid of people’s insults or their jeering at you. 8 For the moths will eat them up like a garment and the worm will eat them like wool. But My triumph will stand forever, and My salvation through all the ages.
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9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord. Awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not he who hath cut Rahab and wounded the dragon? 10 Art thou not he who hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? 11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads. And they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 12 I am he, yea, I am he that comforteth you.
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9 Wake up, wake up, dress yourself in glory, O arm of the Lord. Awaken as in former ages. It was You who cut Rahab to pieces and cast down the dragon. 10 It was You that dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, that made the abysses of the sea into a way for the redeemed to walk. 11 So let the redeemed of the Lord return and come with singing to Zion, crowned with everlasting joy and holiness. Let them be joyful and glad, while sorrow and mourning flee from them. 12 I am He who comforts you!
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Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man who shall die and of the son of man who shall be made like unto grass, 13 and forgettest the Lord thy maker that hath stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. 15 But I am the Lord thy God, whose waves roared; the Lord of Hosts is my name. 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth and hath covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Behold, thou art my people.
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What’s wrong that you’re afraid of people who will die, mere mortals that perish like the grass? 13 You’ve forgotten the Lord your God who stretched out the heavens and established the earth. You live in constant dread because of your angry oppressor who wants to destroy you. What does your oppressor’s anger matter? 14 Remember the captive has been freed, not cut down and slain, and he hasn’t been left hungry. 15 I Am the Lord your God, I make the sea’s roaring waves; the Lord of Hosts is My name. 16 I’ve put My words in your mouth and sheltered you with My hand. I, who organized the heavens and made the foundations of the earth, have said to Zion: You are My people.
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17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out — 18 and none to guide her, among all the sons she hath brought forth, neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up. 19 These two sons are come unto thee. Who shall be sorry for thee — thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword? And by whom shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net. They are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
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17 Wake up, rouse yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who’ve drunk from the Lord’s hand the bitter cup of His fury; you who’ve drained the dregs of the bitter cup of suffering — 18 she had no guide for her from among all the sons she bore, none of them took her by the hand from all her sons. 19 These two misfortunes come upon you — havoc and ruin — who can console you? Famine and destruction — how shall I comfort you? 20 Your sons have fainted on every street; like a deer caught in a net. They’re drunk with the Lord’s wrath, with your God’s rebuke.
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21 Therefore, hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken and not with wine. 22 Thus saith thy Lord — the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people: Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again. 23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee, who have said to thy soul, Bow down that we may go over — and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over.
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21 Therefore listen to this, unhappy ones, who are drunk but not with wine. 22 This is what your Lord says — the Lord and your God who watches over His people: I’ll take your bitter cup and you’ll never need to drink from it again. 23 I’ll then put it into the hands of your tormentors, who’ve commanded you to get down on the ground so they can walk over you — and you laid on the ground like a pathway for the passersby.
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24 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion. Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 25 Shake thyself from the dust. Arise, sit down, O Jerusalem. Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
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24 Wake up, wake up and clothe yourselves in virtue O Zion. The uncircumcised and the unclean will never enter again. 25 Get up and shake off the dust. Return to your throne, O Jerusalem. Get the chains off your neck, O enslaved Zion.