32 And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry,
33 And they cried out against him, saying unto the people, Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him forth, that he may be condemned according to the crime which he has done?
34 Why seest thou this man and hearest him revile against this people and against our law?
35 For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which can not be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God.
36 And those judges were angry with him because he spake plain unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless they durst not lay their own hands upon him; for they feared the people, lest they should cry out against them; therefore they did cry unto the people, saying, Why do ye suffer this man to revile against us?
37 For behold, he doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them.
38 And now we know that this is impossible; for behold we are powerful, and our cities great; therefore our enemies can have no power over us.
39 And it came to pass that thus they did stir up the people to anger against Nephi, and raised contentions among them; for there were some who did cry out, Let this man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he saith will surely come to pass except we repent;
40 Yea, behold all the judgments will come upon us which he has testified unto us; for we know that he has testified aright unto us concerning our iniquities.
41 And behold they are many; and he knoweth as well all things which shall befall us as he knoweth of our iniquities; yea, and behold if he had not been a prophet he could not have testified concerning those things.
42 And it came to pass that those people who sought to destroy Nephi, were compelled because of their fear, that they did not lay their hands on him.
