1 Kings 17-18
Christian Standard Bible
Elijah Announces Famine
17 Now Elijah(A) the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers,[a](B) said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives,(C) in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!” (D)
2 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide(E) at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. 4 You are to drink from the wadi. I have commanded the ravens(F) to provide for you there.”
5 So he proceeded to do what the Lord commanded. Elijah left and lived at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. 6 The ravens kept bringing him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening,(G) and he would drink from the wadi. 7 After a while, the wadi dried up because there had been no rain in the land.
Elijah and the Widow
8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Get up, go to Zarephath(H) that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.”(I) 11 As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”
12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives,(J) I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil(K) in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.”(L)
13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”(M)
15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days.(N) 16 The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through[b] Elijah.
The Widow’s Son Raised
17 After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness got worse until he stopped breathing.(O) 18 She said to Elijah, “Man of God,(P) what do you have against me?(Q) Have you come to call attention to my iniquity(R) so that my son is put to death?”
19 But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, brought him up to the upstairs room(S) where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord(T) and said, “Lord my God, have you also brought tragedy on the widow I am staying with by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times.(U) He cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, please let this boy’s life come into him again!”
22 So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived.(V) 23 Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother.(W) Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.”
24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God(X) and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.”(Y)
Elijah’s Message to Ahab
18 After a long time, the word of the Lord(Z) came to Elijah in the third year:(AA) “Go and present yourself to Ahab.(AB) I will send rain on the surface of the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.
The famine was severe in Samaria.(AC) 3 Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace.(AD) Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the Lord(AE) 4 and took a hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel(AF) slaughtered the Lord’s prophets.(AG) 5 Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and to every wadi. Perhaps we’ll find grass so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to destroy any cattle.”(AH) 6 They divided the land between them in order to cover it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.
7 While Obadiah was walking along the road, Elijah suddenly met him.(AI) When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
8 “It is I,” he replied. “Go tell your lord, ‘Elijah is here!’” [c]
9 But Obadiah said, “What sin have I committed,(AJ) that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear they had not found you.
11 “Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!”’ 12 But when I leave you, the Spirit of the Lord may carry you off(AK) to some place I don’t know. Then when I go report to Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Wasn’t it reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord’s prophets? I hid a hundred of the prophets of the Lord, fifty men to a cave, and I provided them with food and water. 14 Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!”’ He will kill me!”
15 Then Elijah said, “As the Lord of Armies lives,(AL) in whose presence I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”
16 Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?” (AM)
18 He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned the Lord’s commands(AN) and followed the Baals.(AO) 19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel,(AP) along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah(AQ) who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Elijah at Mount Carmel
20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions?[d](AR) If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.”(AS) But the people didn’t answer him a word.
22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord,(AT) but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.(AU) The God who answers with fire, he is God.”
All the people answered, “That’s fine.”
25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”
26 So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound;(AV) no one answered. Then they danced[e] around the altar they had made.
27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away;[f] or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!” (AW) 28 They shouted loudly, and cut themselves(AX) with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. 29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice,(AY) but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.(AZ)
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down:(BA) 31 Elijah took twelve stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel will be your name”(BB)— 32 and he built an altar(BC) with the stones in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons.[g][h] 33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.
36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice,(BD) the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,(BE) today let it be known(BF) that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things. 37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God(BG) and that you have turned their hearts back.”
38 Then the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell facedown(BH) and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!” (BI)
40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal!(BJ) Do not let even one of them escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon(BK) and slaughtered them there.(BL) 41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.”(BM)
42 So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went up to the summit of Carmel.(BN) He bent down on the ground and put his face between his knees.(BO) 43 Then he said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.”
So he went up, looked, and said, “There’s nothing.”
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
44 On the seventh(BP) time, he reported, “There’s a cloud as small as a man’s hand coming up from the sea.”
Then Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn’t stop you.’”
45 In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a downpour. So Ahab got in his chariot and went to Jezreel.(BQ) 46 The power of the Lord(BR) was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt(BS) and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Footnotes
- 17:1 LXX reads from Tishbe of Gilead
- 17:16 Lit by the hand of
- 18:8 The Hb words translated ‘Elijah is here’ also mean ‘Look, my God is the Lord’
- 18:21 Lit you hobble on two crutches?
- 18:26 Or hobbled
- 18:27 Or has turned aside; possibly to relieve himself
- 18:32 LXX reads trench containing two measures of seed
- 18:32 Lit altar corresponding to a house of two seahs of seed
Psalm 119
Christian Standard Bible
Psalm 119
Delight in God’s Word
א Aleph
1 How[a] happy are those whose way is blameless,(A)
who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!(B)
2 Happy are those who keep his decrees(C)
and seek him with all their heart.(D)
3 They do nothing wrong;(E)
they walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded that your precepts(F)
be diligently kept.
5 If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes!(G)
6 Then I would not be ashamed(H)
when I think about all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart(I)
when I learn your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep your statutes;
never abandon me.(J)
ב Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping your[b] word.(K)
10 I have sought you with all my heart;(L)
don’t let me wander from your commands.(M)
11 I have treasured your word in my heart(N)
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Lord, may you be blessed;
teach me your statutes.(O)
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from your mouth.(P)
14 I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees(Q)
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts(R)
and think about your ways.(S)
16 I will delight in your statutes;(T)
I will not forget your word.
ג Gimel
17 Deal generously with your servant(U)
so that I might live;
then I will keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wondrous things from your instruction.
19 I am a resident alien on earth;(V)
do not hide your commands from me.
20 I am continually overcome
with longing for your judgments.(W)
21 You rebuke the arrogant,
the ones under a curse,(X)
who wander from your commands.(Y)
22 Take insult and contempt away from me,(Z)
for I have kept your decrees.
23 Though princes sit together speaking against me,(AA)
your servant will think about your statutes;(AB)
24 your decrees are my delight
and my counselors.(AC)
ד Daleth
25 My life is down in the dust;(AD)
give me life(AE) through your word.
26 I told you about my life,
and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.(AF)
27 Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.(AG)
28 I am weary[c] from grief;
strengthen me through your word.(AH)
29 Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me your instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set your ordinances before me.(AI)
31 I cling to your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame.(AJ)
32 I pursue the way of your commands,
for you broaden my understanding.[d](AK)
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning[e] of your statutes,
and I will always keep them.[f](AL)
34 Help me understand your instruction,(AM)
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart.(AN)
35 Help me stay on the path of your commands,(AO)
for I take pleasure in it.(AP)
36 Turn my heart to your decrees(AQ)
and not to dishonest profit.(AR)
37 Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;(AS)
give me life in your ways.[g](AT)
38 Confirm what you said to your servant,(AU)
for it produces reverence for you.
39 Turn away the disgrace I dread;(AV)
indeed, your judgments are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!(AW)
Give me life through your righteousness.
ו Waw
41 Let your faithful love come to me, Lord,(AX)
your salvation, as you promised.(AY)
42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me,(AZ)
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I hope in your judgments.(BA)
44 I will always obey your instruction,
forever and ever.(BB)
45 I will walk freely in an open place(BC)
because I study your precepts.(BD)
46 I will speak of your decrees before kings
and not be ashamed.(BE)
47 I delight in your commands,
which I love.(BF)
48 I will lift up my hands(BG) to your commands,
which I love,
and will meditate on your statutes.(BH)
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant;
you have given me hope through it.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:(BI)
Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from your instruction.(BJ)
52 Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53 Fury seizes me(BK) because of the wicked
who reject your instruction.(BL)
54 Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life.[h]
55 Lord, I remember your name(BM) in the night,(BN)
and I obey your instruction.
56 This is my practice:
I obey your precepts.(BO)
ח Cheth
57 The Lord is my portion;[i](BP)
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I have sought your favor(BQ) with all my heart;
be gracious to me(BR) according to your promise.
59 I thought about my ways(BS)
and turned my steps back to your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked(BT)
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget your instruction.(BU)
62 I rise at midnight to thank you(BV)
for your righteous judgments.(BW)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(BX)
to those who keep your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;(BY)
teach me your statutes.(BZ)
ט Teth
65 Lord, you have treated your servant well,
just as you promised.
66 Teach me good judgment and discernment,(CA)
for I rely on your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,(CB)
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good,(CC) and you do what is good;(CD)
teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,(CE)
but I obey your precepts with all my heart.(CF)
70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive,(CG)
but I delight in your instruction.(CH)
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(CI)
so that I could learn your statutes.
72 Instruction from your lips(CJ) is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
י Yod
73 Your hands made me and formed me;(CK)
give me understanding
so that I can learn your commands.(CL)
74 Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,(CM)
for I put my hope in your word.(CN)
75 I know, Lord, that your judgments are just
and that you have afflicted me fairly.(CO)
76 May your faithful love comfort me
as you promised your servant.
77 May your compassion come to me(CP)
so that I may live,
for your instruction is my delight.(CQ)
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame(CR)
for slandering me with lies;
I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you,
those who know your decrees, turn to me.
80 May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes(CS)
so that I will not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81 I long for your salvation;(CT)
I put my hope in your word.(CU)
82 My eyes grow weary
looking for what you have promised;(CV)
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke,
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How many days must your servant wait?
When will you execute judgment on my persecutors?(CW)
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me;(CX)
they violate your instruction.
86 All your commands are true;
people persecute me with lies—help me!(CY)
87 They almost ended my life on earth,
but I did not abandon your precepts.
88 Give me life in accordance with your faithful love,
and I will obey the decree you have spoken.
ל Lamed
89 Lord, your word is forever;(CZ)
it is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness is for all generations;(DA)
you established the earth, and it stands firm.(DB)
91 Your judgments stand firm today,(DC)
for all things are your servants.(DD)
92 If your instruction had not been my delight,
I would have died in my affliction.(DE)
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for you have given me life through them.(DF)
94 I am yours; save me,(DG)
for I have studied your precepts.(DH)
95 The wicked hope to destroy me,(DI)
but I contemplate your decrees.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your command is without limit.
מ Mem
97 How I love your instruction!(DJ)
It is my meditation all day long.(DK)
98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies,(DL)
for it is always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers
because your decrees are my meditation.(DM)
100 I understand more than the elders(DN)
because I obey your precepts.(DO)
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path(DP)
to follow your word.
102 I have not turned from your judgments,(DQ)
for you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet your word is(DR) to my taste—
sweeter than honey in my mouth.
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;(DS)
therefore I hate every false way.(DT)
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet(DU)
and a light on my path.
106 I have solemnly sworn(DV)
to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am severely afflicted;
Lord, give me life according to your word.(DW)
108 Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise,(DX)
and teach me your judgments.(DY)
109 My life is constantly in danger,[j]
yet I do not forget your instruction.(DZ)
110 The wicked have set a trap for me,(EA)
but I have not wandered from your precepts.(EB)
111 I have your decrees as a heritage forever;
indeed, they are the joy of my heart.(EC)
112 I am resolved to obey your statutes
to the very end.[k](ED)
ס Samek
113 I hate those who are double-minded,(EE)
but I love your instruction.(EF)
114 You are my shelter and my shield;(EG)
I put my hope in your word.(EH)
115 Depart from me,(EI) you evil ones,
so that I may obey my God’s commands.(EJ)
116 Sustain me as you promised,(EK) and I will live;
do not let me be ashamed of my hope.(EL)
117 Sustain me so that I can be safe(EM)
and always be concerned about your statutes.(EN)
118 You reject all who stray from your statutes,(EO)
for their deceit is a lie.
119 You remove all the wicked on earth
as if they were[l] dross from metal;(EP)
therefore, I love your decrees.(EQ)
120 I tremble[m] in awe of you;(ER)
I fear your judgments.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;(ES)
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being;(ET)
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes grow weary(EU) looking for your salvation
and for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant based on your faithful love;(EV)
teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant;(EW) give me understanding(EX)
so that I may know your decrees.
126 It is time for the Lord to act,(EY)
for they have violated your instruction.
127 Since I love your commands(EZ)
more than gold, even the purest gold,
128 I carefully follow all your precepts(FA)
and hate every false way.(FB)
פ Pe
129 Your decrees are wondrous;(FC)
therefore I obey them.(FD)
130 The revelation of your words(FE) brings light
and gives understanding to the inexperienced.(FF)
131 I open my mouth and pant(FG)
because I long for your commands.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,(FH)
as is your practice toward those who love your name.
133 Make my steps steady through your promise;(FI)
don’t let any sin dominate me.(FJ)
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(FK)
and I will keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant,(FL)
and teach me your statutes.(FM)
136 My eyes pour out streams of tears(FN)
because people do not follow your instruction.
צ Tsade
137 You are righteous, Lord,(FO)
and your judgments are just.
138 The decrees you issue are righteous
and altogether trustworthy.(FP)
139 My anger overwhelms me
because my foes forget your words.(FQ)
140 Your word is completely pure,(FR)
and your servant loves it.(FS)
141 I am insignificant and despised,(FT)
but I do not forget your precepts.(FU)
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your instruction is true.(FV)
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your commands are my delight.(FW)
144 Your decrees are righteous forever.(FX)
Give me understanding, and I will live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord.
I will obey your statutes.(FY)
146 I call to you; save me,
and I will keep your decrees.(FZ)
147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help;(GA)
I put my hope in your word.
148 I am awake through each watch of the night
to meditate on your promise.(GB)
149 In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.
Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice.(GC)
150 Those who pursue evil plans[n](GD) come near;
they are far from your instruction.
151 You are near, Lord,(GE)
and all your commands are true.(GF)
152 Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them forever.(GG)
ר Resh
153 Consider my affliction and rescue me,(GH)
for I have not forgotten your instruction.(GI)
154 Champion my cause and redeem me;(GJ)
give me life as you promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not study your statutes.(GK)
156 Your compassions are many, Lord;(GL)
give me life according to your judgments.
157 My persecutors and foes are many.(GM)
I have not turned from your decrees.(GN)
158 I have seen the disloyal(GO) and feel disgust(GP)
because they do not keep your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts;
Lord, give me life according to your faithful love.(GQ)
160 The entirety of your word is truth,
each of your righteous judgments endures forever.(GR)
שׂ Sin
161 Princes have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears only your word.(GS)
162 I rejoice over your promise(GT)
like one who finds vast treasure.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,(GU)
but I love your instruction.(GV)
164 I praise you seven times a day
for your righteous judgments.(GW)
165 Abundant peace belongs to those(GX)
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.(GY)
166 Lord, I hope for your salvation(GZ)
and carry out your commands.
167 I obey your decrees
and love them greatly.(HA)
168 I obey your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.(HB)
ת Taw
169 Let my cry reach you, Lord;(HC)
give me understanding according to your word.(HD)
170 Let my plea reach you;(HE)
rescue me according to your promise.(HF)
171 My lips pour out praise,(HG)
for you teach me your statutes.(HH)
172 My tongue sings about your promise,(HI)
for all your commands are righteous.(HJ)
173 May your hand be ready to help me,(HK)
for I have chosen your precepts.(HL)
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your instruction is my delight.(HM)
175 Let me live, and I will praise you;(HN)
may your judgments help me.
176 I wander like a lost sheep;(HO)
seek your servant,(HP)
for I do not forget your commands.(HQ)
Footnotes
- 119:1 The stanzas of this poem form an acrostic.
- 119:9 Or keeping it according to your
- 119:28 Or I weep
- 119:32 Lit you enlarge my heart
- 119:33 Lit way
- 119:33 Or will keep it as my reward
- 119:37 Some Hb mss, Tg read word
- 119:54 Lit song in the house of my sojourning
- 119:57 Lit You are my portion, Lord
- 119:109 Lit in my hand
- 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal
- 119:119 Some Hb mss, DSS, LXX, Aq, Sym, Jer read All the wicked of the earth you count as
- 119:120 Lit My flesh shudders
- 119:150 Some Hb mss, LXX, Sym, Jer read who maliciously persecute me
Jude
Christian Standard Bible
Greeting
1 Jude,(A) a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:
To those who are the called,(B) loved[a](C) by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.(D)
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.(E)
Jude’s Purpose in Writing
3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share,(F) I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith(G) that was delivered(H) to the saints once for all. 4 For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago,[b](I) have come in by stealth;(J) they are ungodly,(K) turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying(L) Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.
Apostates: Past and Present
5 Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus[c] saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe;(M) 6 and the angels(N) who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah(O) and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions,[d] and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.(P)
8 In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones.(Q) 9 Yet when Michael(R) the archangel(S) was disputing with the devil(T) in an argument about Moses’s(U) body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. And what they do understand by instinct—like irrational animals—by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain,(V) have plunged into Balaam’s error(W) for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.(X)
The Apostates’ Doom
12 These people are dangerous reefs[e] at your love feasts(Y) as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds;(Z) trees in late autumn—fruitless, twice dead and uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameful deeds; wandering stars(AA) for whom the blackness of darkness(AB) is reserved forever.(AC)
14 It was about these that Enoch,(AD) in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones(AE) 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly(AF) concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him.” 16 These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires;(AG) their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering(AH) people for their own advantage.
17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They told you, “In the end time(AI) there will be scoffers(AJ) living according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions and are worldly,(AK) not having the Spirit.
Exhortation and Benediction
20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,(AL) 21 keep yourselves in the love of God,(AM) waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire;(AN) have mercy on others but with fear,(AO) hating(AP) even the garment(AQ) defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to him(AR) who is able to protect you from stumbling(AS) and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish(AT) and with great joy, 25 to the only(AU) God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,[f] be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time,[g] now and forever. Amen.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
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