| Chapter text (World English Bible version) |  |
James’ brother, Jude, warns believers about false teachers. | |
| 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. | How does Jude describe those he is writing to, and what blessing does he give them? |
| 3 Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ. | What reason does Jude give for writing this letter, and what warning does he give about certain people? |
| 5 Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe. | What reminder does Jude give about what happened to those who did not believe after being saved from Egypt? |
| 6 Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgement of the great day. | What does Jude say happened to the angels who did not keep their proper place? |
| 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, having in the same way as these given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings. | What example does Jude use to show the results of rejecting God’s authority? |
| 9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason. | How does Jude contrast Michael the archangel’s behavior with that of false teachers? |
| 11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. | What three Old Testament examples does Jude use to describe the false teachers? |
| 14 About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgement on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” | What prophecy from Enoch does Jude mention, and what does it say God will do? |
| 16 These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts—and their mouth speaks proud things—showing respect of persons to gain advantage. | How does Jude describe the attitudes and speech of these ungodly people? |
| 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit. | What does Jude remind believers that the apostles warned would happen in the last times? |
| 20 But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 On some have compassion, making a distinction, 23 and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. | What does Jude tell believers to do to keep their faith strong and help others? |
24 Now to him who is able to keep them* from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. * Some texts read "you" | How does Jude describe God’s power and what praise does he give Him? |
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