Jude

Greetings from Jude

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who [are] called, loved by God [the] Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

God's Judgment on the Ungodly

3 Beloved, [although] I made every effort to write you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write [and] urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in [among you] unnoticed— ungodly [ones] who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5 Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus ^{▼▼NE, WH, BYZ, and TR the Lord} had delivered [His] people out of [the] land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And [the] angels who did not stay within their [own] domain but abandoned their [proper] dwelling— [these] He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, {bound} for judgment on [that] great day. 7 In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain [the] punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in the same way, these dreamers defile [their] bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious [beings] . 9 But [even] the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous judgment {against him} , but said, “ [The] Lord rebuke you!” ^{▼▼See the Testament of Moses} 10 These [men] , however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. 11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These [men] are the hidden reefs ^{▼▼Or blemishes} in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting [with you] [but] shepherding [only] themselves. [They are] clouds without water, carried along by [the] wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13 [They are] wild waves of [the] sea, foaming up their [own] shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14 Enoch, [the] seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, [the] Lord is coming with myriads of His holy [ones] 15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh [word] spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” ^{▼▼See the First Book of Enoch} 16 These [men] are discontented grumblers, following after [their] own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

A Call to Persevere

17 But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18 when they said to you, “In [the] last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” ^{▼▼See 2 Peter 3:3} 19 These are the [ones who] cause divisions, [who are] worldly [and] devoid of [the] Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves {up} in your most holy faith [and] praying in [the] Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in [the] love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring [you] eternal life. 22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching [them] from [the] fire; and to still others, show mercy [ tempered ] with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

Doxology

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present [you] unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to [the] only God our Savior [be] glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.