1 J ude, a servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ:

2 M ay mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

3 B eloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints '> verbally to the holy people of God].

4 F or certain men have crept in stealthily '> gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

5 N ow I want to remind you, though you were fully informed once for all, that though the Lord delivered a people out of the land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.

6 A nd angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place—these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day.

7 j ust as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns—which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity—are laid out as an exhibit of perpetual punishment of everlasting fire.

8 N evertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at glories (the glorious ones).

9 B ut when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not bring an abusive condemnation against him, but said, The Lord rebuke you!

10 B ut these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically, like irrational beasts—by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).

11 W oe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion of Korah!

12 T hese are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously, without scruples providing for themselves. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time—twice (doubly) dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 W ild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.

14 I t was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)

15 T o execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed ungodly, and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

16 T hese are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain, going after their own desires; their talk is boastful and arrogant, admire men’s persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage.

17 B ut you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

18 T hey told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.

19 I t is these who are setting up distinctions and causing divisions—merely sensual, devoid of the Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.

20 B ut you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith '> make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

21 G uard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)— unto life eternal.

22 A nd refute convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt.

23 s ave others, snatching out of fire; on others take pity with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality.

24 N ow to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation —

25 T o the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).