Dual Panel1JUDE, A servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father {and separated (set apart)} and kept for Jesus Christ:
2May mercy, [soul] peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary {and} was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to {and} exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God].
4For 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).
5Now I want to remind you, though you were fully informed once for all, that though the Lord [at one time] delivered a people out of the land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those [of them] who did not believe [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him].
6And 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[The wicked are sentenced to suffer] just 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 [in plain sight] as an exhibit of perpetual punishment [to warn] of everlasting fire.
8Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn {and} reject authority {and} government, and revile {and} libel {and} scoff at [heavenly] glories (the glorious ones).
9But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, The Lord rebuke you!
10But 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 [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts--by these they corrupt themselves {and} are destroyed (perish).
11Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!
12These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time--twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;
13Wild 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.
14It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
15To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
16These are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful {and} arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men's persons {and} pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage.
17But 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).
18They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions.
19It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions {and} causing divisions--merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit {and} destitute of any higher spiritual life.
20But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
21Guard {and} keep yourselves in the love of God; expect {and} patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal.
22And {refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and} on some have mercy who waver {and} doubt.
23[Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh {and} polluted by their sensuality.
24Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling {or} slipping {or} falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy {and} exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--
25To 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).