Translation analysis: The Book of Mormon text has additions to this verse noted in parentheses:
Isa. 2:9
9 And the mean man boweth (not) down, and the great man humbleth himself (not): therefore forgive [them] (him) not.
The effect of this alteration is a shift in the contextual meaning of the verse, and a movement from history into theology. From a theological standpoint, it is certain that it is better to be humble. In this context, Ludlow comments:
“Note particularly in verse 9 how the Book of Mormon clarifies what would otherwise be a very confusing verse. The Old Testament seems to suggest that one should not forgive those who repent and humble themselves. The account in 2 Nephi, on the other hand, explains that the people did not humble themselves. And therefore were not forgiven.” (Ludlow, Victor. Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet. p. 90).
In isolation, the Book of Mormon reading does improve the sense of the necessity of humility, but in the context of verse 8, the Old Testament reading sees the bowing down and the humbling as before the idols, not before God, and therefore should not be forgiven. In the Old Testament context, the problem isn’t humility, but bowing down before idols. This context is altered in the Book of Mormon text to remove the connection to the idols, and shift the meaning to the more spiritual aspects of humility.