THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE

Of

.JUDE.

I. JUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James ; td the called, who are sanctified by God die father, and preserved by Jesus Christ: mercy be to you, and may peace and love- be multiplied.

3 Beloved, when I was using all diligence to write to you respecting the common salvation, I found a necessity to write tcf you, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the belief which

4 was once for all delivered to the saints. For Certain persons have slily crept in among us, who have been of old written of, and for this very crime—wicked men, who are turning the favour of our God into licentiousness, and denying our only sovereign God,* and Lord Jesus Christ.

5 Now I desire once for all to remind you of this which you knew, That the Lord, having saved a people aut of the land of Egypt, destroyed afterwards them who did not believe :

6 and the angels who did not keep their own government, but left their proper abode, he hath reserved in perpetual bonds,

7 under darkness, for the judgment of the great day. As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, which, in like manner with them, abandoned themselves to licentiousness, and went after strange flesh, were made an example of, suffering the vengeance of everlasting fire; so likewise shall these

8 dreamers. They indeed defile the flesh, and despise authority

9 and revile glories, whereas Michael the archangel, when he contended with the devil, and disputed about the body of Moses, did not take the liberty to bring against him a railing

* In the Alexandrian manuscript as published by Woide, the *v-ord ©eof, God is not inserted, in that case the sentence may be, rendered our only master and Lord Jesus Christ.

10 accusation, but said "the Lord rebuke thee:" but these rail at what they do not know; and what they do know in a natural

11 way as irrational animals, with these they corrupt themselves. Alas for them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and rambled in the error of Balaam's reward and perished in the

12 rebellion of Kore. They are hidden rocks in your love feasts. When they feast with you, they feed themselves without restraint. They are clouds without water, impelled by winds;

13 autumnal trees without fruit, twice dead, and to be rooted up; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wan-

14 dering stars, for whom is reserved the gloom of everlasting darkness. Now to such as these Enoch, the seventh from

15 Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold the Lord is coming with his holy myriads to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the wicked among them of all their impious deeds, which they have impiously committed, and of all die bitter things

16 which impious sinners have uttered against him." They are discontented mumurcrs, walking after their own lusts. Though their mouth spcaketh swelling words, they hold persons in admiration for the sake of gain.

17 But as for you, beloved, remember what the apostles of our

18 Lord Jesus Christ foretold you. For they assured you that in the last time there would be scoffers, walking after their own

19 wicked desires. These are they who separate themselves, be-

20 ing sensual, and not having the spirit. But as for you, beloved,

21 building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying with a holy spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, as you expect

22 the mercy of our Lord JeSus Christ for everlasting life; arid

23 making a distinction, have compassion on some, and save others by fear, snatching them out of the fire; abhorring even a .garment which is stained by flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you, without blemish, before his glory with great joy —to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.