Epistle of Saint Jude the Apostle
[1] Jude, the servant of
Jesus Christ, and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father,
and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. [2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and
charity be fulfilled. [3] Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you
concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to
beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
[4] For certain men are secretly entered in, (who were written of long ago unto
this judgment,) ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into
riotousness, and denying the only sovereign Ruler, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
[5] I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus,
having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards destroy them
that believed not:
[6] And the
angels who kept not their principality, but forsook their own habitation, he
hath reserved under darkness in everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the
great day. [7] As Sodom and Gomorrha, and the neighbouring cities, in like
manner, having given themselves to fornication, and going after other flesh,
were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. [8] In like
manner these men also defile the flesh, and despise dominion, and blaspheme
majesty. [9] When Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended
about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of railing
speech, but said: The Lord command thee. [10] But these men blaspheme whatever
things they know not: and what things soever they naturally know, like dumb
beasts, in these they are corrupted.
[11] Woe
unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain: and after the error of Balaam
they have for reward poured out themselves, and have perished in the
contradiction of Core. [12] These are spots in their banquets, feasting
together without fear, feeding themselves, clouds without water, which are
carried about by winds, trees of the autumn, unfruitful, twice dead, plucked up
by the roots, [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion;
wandering stars, to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever. [14] Now
of these Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying: Behold, the
Lord cometh with thousands of his saints, [15] To execute judgment upon all,
and to reprove all the ungodly for all the works of their ungodliness, whereby
they have done ungodly, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have
spoken against God.
[16] These
are murmurers, full of complaints, walking according to their own desires, and
their mouth speaketh proud things, admiring persons for gain's sake. [17] But
you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before
by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, [18] Who told you, that in the last
time there should come mockers, walking according to their own desires in
ungodlinesses. [19] These are they, who separate themselves, sensual men,
having not the Spirit. [20] But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
[21] Keep
yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ,
unto life everlasting. [22] And some indeed reprove, being judged: [23] But
others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have mercy, in fear,
hating also the spotted garment which is carnal. [24] Now to him who is able to
preserve you without sin, and to present you spotless before the presence of
his glory with exceeding joy, in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, [25] To
the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and
magnificence, empire and power, before all ages, and now, and for all ages of
ages. Amen.
