1 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, loved in our Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Contend for the Faith
3 Beloved, I was eager to write to you about our common salvation, but I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long ago designated for this condemnation — ungodly ones who pervert the grace of our Father into a license for sensuality and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5 Now I want to remind you, though you already know all this, that Jesus, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. a a v5 Some early manuscripts read "the Lord" or "God"; the earliest and strongest read "Jesus." Jude names the one who saved Israel out of Egypt as Jesus — the same Lord who walked with his people through the wilderness. 6 And the angels who did not keep their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling — these he has kept in eternal chains under deep darkness for the judgment of the great day. b b v6 These angels likely refer to the 'sons of God' who left heaven and took human wives (Genesis 6:1–4). 7 Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which in the same way indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when Michael the archangel, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment against him, but said, "May the Sovereign Father rebuke you." c c v9 This account of Michael and Moses' body comes from a Jewish tradition (the Assumption of Moses), not from the Old Testament. 10 But these people blaspheme whatever they do not understand, and the things they do understand — by mere animal instinct — are exactly what destroys them. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain, rushed headlong into Balaam's error for profit, and perished in Korah's rebellion. 12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, feasting with you without fear, shepherding only themselves — waterless clouds carried along by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead and uprooted, 13 wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever. 14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Look, our Lord Jesus came with ten thousands of his holy ones, d d v14 Jude applies Enoch's ancient prophecy to the coming of Jesus — the Lord who returns with his holy ones to bring justice. The New Testament names Jesus as the one who comes in glory with his angels (Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict every person of all the ungodly deeds they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are grumblers and complainers, following their own desires; their mouths speak arrogant words, and they flatter people to gain advantage.
Remember What Was Foretold
17 But you, beloved, remember the words that were foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 how they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of our Father, as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and to still others show mercy with fear, hating even the clothing stained by their sin.
Our Father Keeps You
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless in his glorious presence with great joy 25 —to our Father alone, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. e e v25 Jude offers all glory to our Father, the only God and Savior, through Jesus his Son — Father and Son distinguished yet one in the worship they receive.