[1] Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are
called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: [2] Mercy
to you and peace and love be multiplied. [3] Beloved, while I was very
eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to
write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was
once for all delivered to the saints. [4] For there are certain men who
crept in secretly, even they who were of old written of beforehand to this
condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.
[5] Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the
Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed
those who didn`t believe. [6] Angels who didn`t keep their first domain,
but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds
under darkness for the judgment of the great day. [7] Even as Sodom and
Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these,
given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh,
are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. [8]
Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise
authority, and slander celestial beings. [9] But Michael, the archangel,
when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared
not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord
rebuke you!" [10] But these speak evil of whatever things they don`t know.
What they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these
things are they destroyed. [11] Woe to them! For they went in the way of
Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in
Korah`s rebellion. [12] These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts
when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves;
clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit,
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; [13] wild waves of the sea, foaming
out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness
has been reserved forever. [14] To these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam,
prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy
ones, [15] to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of
all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and
of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." [16]
These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their
mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons for the sake of
advantage. [17] But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken
before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. [18] They said to you that
"In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly
lusts." [19] These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not
having the Spirit. [20] But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on
your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. [21] Keep yourselves in
the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal
life. [22] On some have compassion, making a distinction, [23] and some
save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing
stained by the flesh. [24] Now to him who is able to keep them from
stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in
great joy, [25] to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
