2 Nephi 4:33
~588–570 BC
1830 Edition
O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness? O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies? Wilt thou make my path straight before me? Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way? But that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
Influences
Isaiah 61:10 (KJV)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Matthew 3:3 (KJV)
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Romans 14:13 (KJV)
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Hosea 2:6 (KJV)
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
Changes
O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness?! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies?! Wilt thou make my path straight before me?! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way? B—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
Simple English
O Lord, will you wrap me in your goodness? O Lord, will you make a way for me to escape from my enemies? Will you make my path straight? Please don’t put anything in my way to trip me. Clear my way and block my enemies’ ways instead.
Paraphrase
'Lord, will you wrap me in the robe of your righteousness? Will you make a way for me to escape my enemies? Will you make my path straight? Don’t put a stumbling block in my way—instead, clear my path and block the way of my enemy.'