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In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.[a] But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels,[b] did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) 10 But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you.[c] They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.

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Footnotes

  1. 8 Greek at glorious ones, which are probably evil angels.
  2. 9 Greek Michael, the archangel.
  3. 12 Or they are contaminants among you; or they are stains.

In a similar way, these dreamers also defile their flesh, reject the Lord’s authority,[a] and slander his glorious beings. Even the archangel Michael, when he argued with the Devil and fought over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him. Instead, he said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”[b] 10 Whatever these people do not understand, they slander. Like irrational animals, they are destroyed by the very things they know by instinct. 11 How terrible it will be for them! For they lived like Cain did[c], rushed headlong into Balaam’s error to make a profit, and destroyed themselves, as happened[d] in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These people are stains on your love feasts.[e] They feast with you without any sense of awe.[f] They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by the winds. They are autumn trees that are fruitless, totally[g] dead, and uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their own shame. They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Jude 1:8 Lit. reject dominions
  2. Jude 1:9 This incident is possibly based on The Assumption of Moses, an apocryphal Jewish writing.
  3. Jude 1:11 Lit. they followed Cain’s path
  4. Jude 1:11 The Gk. lacks as happened
  5. Jude 1:12 Some early Christians had a meal along with the Lord’s Supper.
  6. Jude 1:12 Or without fear
  7. Jude 1:12 Lit. twice