A New Translation of the Letter from

Jude

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

You vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of you, you, your, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Jude

1 Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy to YOU and peace and love be multiplied.

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to YOU of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to YOU encouraging YOU to earnestly contend for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints.

4 For certain men have crept in stealthily, who of old were written beforehand into this condemnation, ungodly, turning the grace of our God into loose conduct, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I wish to remind YOU, who have know all things once and for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed them that did not believe.

6 And angels that did not keep their own original state, but left their own place of habitation, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness to the judgment of the great day.

7 As Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them, having like these committed fornication and gone after other flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet likewise also these dreamers defile flesh, and disregarding dominion, and blaspheming dignities (or “glories”).

9 But Michael the archangel, contending with the devil, arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare a judgment approaching blasphemy, but said, ‘May the Lord rebuke you.’

10 But these blaspheme at as many things as they don’t know: and naturally, in as many things as they do know, like unreasoning animals, in these things they are corrupting themselves.

11 Woe to them, because they went in the way of Cain, and were poured out in the error of Balaam for pay, and destroyed themselves in the rebellious speech of Korah.

12 These are they who are hidden rocks (like hidden rocks or reefs in the sea) in YOUR love-feasts when YOU eat together, fearlessly shepherding (i.e., tending, feeding) themselves; waterless clouds carried along by winds; fruitless autumn trees, twice dead, uprooted;

13 Wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shameful things; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.

14 But also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied to these, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his saints,

15 to execute judgment upon all, and to reprove all the ungodly for all their works of ungodliness which they did ungodly, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’

16 These are grumblers, blaming fate, walking after their desires --and their mouth speaks great swelling 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 That they said to YOU, ‘In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own desires for ungodly things.’

19 These are they who cause divisions, sensual, not having the Spirit.

20 But YOU, beloved, building up YOURSELVES in YOUR most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

21 keep YOURSELVES in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into everlasting life.

22 And to some show mercy, who are doubting;

23 saving them, snatching them out of the fire; and to some show mercy with fear; hating also the garment stained by the flesh.

24 Now to the one who is able to guard YOU from stumbling, and to set YOU in the sight of his glory unblemished in great joy,

25 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, strength and authority, before all the age, and now, and to all the ages. Amen.