A Greeting from Jude
(James 1:1)

1Jude the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those that are sanctified by God the father, and by their vocation are reserved for Jesus Christ. 2mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.

God’s Judgment on the Ungodly
(2 Peter 3:1–7)

3My beloved, as I was strongly bent upon writing to you of our common salvation, I thought it necessary to write to you at present, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints. 4For certain men have insinuated themselves among you, who were formerly proscrib'd to be punish'd; impious men, who pervert the divine favour to licentiousness, and renounce their only master, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

5Now, I would call to your remembrance what you once were inform'd of, that when the Lord had delivered the people from the land of Egypt, he afterward destroyed those that were disobedient. 6and the angels which kept not their original dignity, but deserted their proper abode, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, to the judgment of the great day. 7so it was with Sodom, Gomorrha, and the neighbouring cities, who abandoning themselves to the same licentiousness and abominable passions, were made examples by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

8yet these visionary debauchees despise princes, and traduce dignitys. 9whereas Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, did not take the liberty to inveigh against him, but said, "the Lord rebuke thee." 10As for these, they inveigh against what they do not understand: and abuse those natural instincts which regulate brute animals. 11unhappy creatures! they have followed the practices of Cain, they have addicted themselves to the mercenary illusions of Balaam, and perish in their rebellion like Core. 12they are a disgrace to your love-feasts, they indulge themselves at your festivals without reserve: clouds without water, transported with every wind: trees whose fruit soon withers and is useless, twice dead and rooted up: 13raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame: wandering lights, to whom is reserv'd the thickest darkness for ever.

14Of these did Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesy in these words, "see! the Lord is coming with ten thousand of his saints, 15to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the impious among them, of all the impious actions they have committed, and of all the injurious expressions, which impious sinners have utter'd against him." 16These are murmurers, complainers, who pursue their own passions: their language swells with flattery, which they offer to the personages of men from a prospect of gain.

A Call to Persevere
(Hebrews 10:19–39; 2 Peter 3:1–7)

17As for you, my beloved, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ have formerly told you. 18for they assur'd you, there would be impostors in the last days, who would follow their own impious passions. 19these are they who distinguish themselves, though they are sensual, and have nothing that is spiritual. 20but you, my brethren, improve yourselves in your most holy faith, present your addresses by the holy spirit, 21and thereby cultivate the divine favour, in the expectation of eternal life by the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord. 22Make use of your discernment; some reprove: 23of others be compassionately tender, snatching them, as it were, out of the fire: and avoid even the garment of the infected.

Doxology
(Romans 16:25–27)

24Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and make you appear in his glorious presence, without defect, and full of joy: 25to God only wise, our saviour, be glory, magnificence, power, and empire, both now and for ever.