After proclaiming that those who were ignorant could be redeemed, Abinadi turns the argument to the priests of Noah personally. They are not ignorant. They have declared that they teach the law of Moses. However, it is because of their acceptance of the scriptures that Abinadi condemns them. Abinadi declares: “for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins.”
This is a strong condemnation, and perhaps even stronger than the general prophecy that caused Abinadi to be brought before Noah and the priests. He very clearly accuses them of willful rebellion against God, and pronounces that “salvation cometh to none such.”
What is important in this condemnation, however, is that there is an escape clause. When Abinadi says that this applies to those who die in their sins, he leaves open the possibility of repentance, for the priests have not yet died, and, therefore, have opportunity to repent. That is important because one of the condemned priests is Alma the Elder, who will take that opportunity to repent and not fall under that condemnation.