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.8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.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. [2 Nephi 7:8–9]9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he thatshall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. [Isaiah 50:8–9]
The Book of Mormon identifies the pronoun “he” as the Lord and retains the clause “and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth” (v. 8). The “me” that is justified again designates the servant Israel with whom the Lord will be near. This further shows that the Lord is not the servant, but is someone he has called. “The strength of his mouth” must have reference to the message of the restoration that the servant is sent to deliver. The Lord helping “me” (v. 9) also distinguishes between the Lord and the servant. The Book of Mormon wording also reads more clearly in declaring the fate of those who condemn the servant.