1:1  JUDE, 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:

1:2  May mercy, [soul] peace, and love be multiplied to you.

1:3  Beloved, 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].

1:4  For 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).

1:5  Now 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].

1:6  And 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.

1:7  [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.

1:8  Nevertheless 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).

1:9  But 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!

1:10  But 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).

1:11  Woe 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!

1:12  These 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;

1:13  Wild 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.

1:14  It 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)

1:15  To 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.

1:16  These 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.

1:17  But 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).

1:18  They 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.

1:19  It 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.

1:20  But 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;

1:21  Guard {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.

1:22  And {refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and} on some have mercy who waver {and} doubt.

1:23  [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.

1:24  Now 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]--

1:25  To 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).