The Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 3:29

1830 Edition

And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold thou shalt go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.

Changes

And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold thouye shaltl go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.

Simple English

While they were hitting us with the stick, an angel from the Lord came and stood in front of them. He said to them: Why are you hitting your younger brother with a stick? Don’t you know the Lord has chosen him to be your leader? This is because of your sins. You will go back to Jerusalem, and the Lord will help you get Laban.

Paraphrase

While they were beating us, an angel of the Lord appeared. 'Why are you beating your younger brother with a rod?' the angel demanded. 'Don’t you know the Lord has chosen him to rule over you because of your sins? Go back to Jerusalem. The Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.'