The Book of Mormon

Alma 31:28

1830 Edition

Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say, We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

Changes

Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say, We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

Simple English

Look, O my God, at their costly clothes and their curled hair and their bracelets and their gold jewelry and all their treasures which they wear. Their hearts are set on them, but they cry to you and say: ‘We thank you, O God, because we are a chosen people to you while others will die.’

Paraphrase

Look at their expensive clothes, their jewelry, their bracelets, their gold ornaments, all their precious possessions they’ve decorated themselves with. Their hearts are devoted to these things, yet they cry out to you and say, ‘Thank you, O God, for making us your chosen people while others perish.’