The verse separation here, added in the 1879 edition, interjects an artificial break into Moroni’s train of thought. The original verse reads: “Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish. O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord.” Those who are “despisers of the works of the Lord” will “wonder and perish.” To avoid this undesirable end, Moroni admonishes them to “despise not, and wonder not” but to “hearken unto the words of the Lord.” Those who had despised Yahweh’s words must embrace them or perish.
Moroni’s is not a message of gloom, threatening destruction to the wicked, but rather a message of hope in the power of repentance. By changing their ways, the “despisers” can avoid destruction, working out their “own salvation with fear and trembling before him.” It is never too late for any repentant sinner.