The Letter of Jude

Jude 1

Jude's Greeting
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who have been called, and made holy in God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Compassion and peace and love, be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith
3 Beloved, while I was making all haste to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to God's holy ones. [Literally, had.] 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who long ago were marked out to be condemned, ungodly people who turn the gracious favor of our God into a license for immorality, thereby denying God the only master and our Lord Jesus Christ. [Literally, licentiousness.]

Old and New Apostates
5 Therefore, I want to put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, after that destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the heavenly messengers who did not guard their first station, but deserted their own habitation, he now keeps bound in everlasting chains under darkness until the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in like manner with them, having given themselves over to sexual immorality, and going after another's flesh, are set forth as an example, undergoing the just punishment of eternal fire.

8 Indeed, these dreamers, in like manner also defile the flesh, dismiss authority, and speak evil of the glorious ones. [Literally, set-aside.] 9 Yet Michael the chief-messenger, when contending with the devil as he disputed about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of those things which they do not see or know; and like irrational animals, whatever they set their minds on physically, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! Because they have gone in the way of Cain, and rushed greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

These People are Depraved and Doomed
12 These are like a reef of rocks in your love feasts, when they feast together with you, feeding themselves without fear: they are like clouds without water, being carried about by winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shames; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of darkness is reserved throughout eternity.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied of these, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with 10,000 of his holy ones, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Enoch 1:9) [Literally, dry.]

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own desires; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, flattering people to gain an advantage.

Mockers in the Last Time
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 For they told you that in the end time there would be mockers, who would walk after their own ungodly desires. 19 These are those who set themselves apart, sensual people, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Be Strong in God's Love
20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 Keep yourselves in God's love, waiting confidently for the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ which brings eternal life. [Literally, into.]

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction: 23 And others save in fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the clothing defiled by the flesh.

Give Glory to God
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, 25 To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and greatness, dominion and authority, both now and throughout all the ages.

Amen! (Indeed!)