3 Beloved, such diligence I have made to write to you of the common salvation, that I absolutely had to write to you, beseeching you to strive after the faith which was at one time given to the holy people. 4 For certain ungodly people have snuck in, who had been previously forewritten into this judgment, who have handed over the grace of our God into lechery, and denying God who alone is the ruler, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 But I want you to remember, though once you knew it, that the Lord, after having led his people safely out of Egypt, afterward perished those who would not believe; 6 and the angels as well, who would not keep their origin, but derelicted their homes, he has reserved for the great judgment of that day eternal chains under darkness. 7 As Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities, which likewise gave themselves over to fornication, and chased after strange flesh, have been set forth as an example, bearing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these people, deluded by their dreams, also corrupt the flesh, spurn their masters, and curse at authority. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he had a dispute against the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring note of curse against him, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these curse anything they do not know; and in those things which they do know, like stupid animals, they make themselves corrupt. 11 Woe to them! For they have entered into the way of Cain, and have chased after the deception of reward by which Balaam was deceived, and have perished in the revolt of Korah.
12 These are the blotches among your love feasts, gorging themselves without fear; waterless clouds borne about by the wind; trees withering in the fall, unfruitful, doubly dead and uprooted; 13 raging waves of the sea, spewing out their own disgrace; straying stars; for whom the darkest darkness has been reserved for eternity. 14 But of these, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied in an earlier time, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with the thousands of his holy ones, 15 to bring judgment upon all, and to convict them all of all the ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, the hard speeches which these ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are querulous murmurers, walking according to their own lusts; and with their mouth they speak arrogantly, having admiration for people according to their perceived usefulness. 17 But as for you, beloved, be mindful of the words which were said to you before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 how he said to you that in the final times there will come deceivers, who walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are those who set themselves apart, beastly, not having spirit.
20 But as for you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying for each other through the holy spirit, 21 maintain yourselves in godly love, awaiting the mercy of our lord Jesus Christ into eternal life. 22 And indeed, have mercy on some who doubt; 23 but save them by fear, seizing them from the flames, hating even the shirt which has been stained by the flesh.
24 Now to the one who is able to preserve you, immune to sin, and stand you up before the face of his glory with exultation, undefiled, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 25 to the only wise God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, may there be glory and majesty and dominion and power, before all ages, and now, and for an age of ages. Amen.