5a Behold, I am God, and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding;
5b and inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; and inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;
5c and inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time;
5d and after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., might have power to translate, through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon;
5e and also those to whom these commandments were given might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually;
5f for I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;
5g and he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received, for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.
6a And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, I, the Lord, am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter of persons,
6b and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh-- the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand--when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the Devil shall have power over his own dominion;
6c and also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea*, or the world.*Idumea: Edom (ancient)
7 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
