3Beloved, while I had eagerly planned to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write, instead, to urge you to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4Becaues some ungodly people have slipped in among you, who say that God’s marvelous grace gives us license to live immoral lives with impunity. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago; for they have denied and rejected our only true Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

5Although you already know all this, I will remind you, that the Lord, having delivered (rescued) His people out of the land of Egypt, later destroyed those that did not believe. 6And the angels that did not stay within the bounds of their first positions of authority, but abandoned their proper place – these, he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains until their judgment on the great day. 7Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, that gave themselves over to sexual immorality and perversion, are set out as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire, 8In that same way, these filthy dreamers also defiled and polluted their bodies, despising and rejecting authority, and speaking evil of celestial beings (dignities). 9Yet even Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to accuse Satan of blasphemy, but instead said, “The Lord rebuke you”. 10But these people scoff at and slander the things they do not understand; - the very things that even as unthinking animals instinctively know will destroy them. 11Woe unto them! For they have chosen the way of Cain, and have rushed greedily after the error of Balaam for profit, and have been destroyed by the rebellion of Korah (Num.16:1). 12These people eat with you at your fellowship feasts, feeding themselves without fear; they are like clouds that blow across the land without giving rain, carried about by winds; like shepherds who feed only themselves; like trees whose fruit withers, unproductive, uprooted and twice dead; 13Like wild raging waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds; wandering stars, for which the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

14And Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them, said, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints (holy ones), 15To execute judgment on all the people of the world, and to convict all that are ungodly among them of all their evil deeds which they have wickedly committed, and of all the defiant words which these sinners have spoken against Him.” 16These people are murmurers, complainers, pursuing their own evil lust; and bragging loudly about themselves. They flatter others to gain advantage and get their way.

17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted: 18How they told you there would be scoffers in the last time, who will pursue their own ungodly lusts. 19These are those who will create divisions among you – sensual, not having the Spirit. 20But, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. 22And be merciful and compassionate to those with doubts; 23And rescue others with love, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the sins that stained their corrupted lives.

24Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before His glorious presence with great joy - 25To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.