The following phrases were altered by the Virginia State Legislature when the bill was enacted into law. Jefferson's original is presented first, and the altered version that replaced all of the original phrase is below and indented. (Minor changes in punctuation are not listed.)--

"Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will, but follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds; that Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint;"

"....who being lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, but to exalt it by its influence on reason alone;"

"That to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical;"

"that the opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction;"

"We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that..."

"to declare this act irrevocable...."

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