A Call to Persevere

(Jude 1:17–23)

19 Therefore, brothers, [since] we have confidence to enter the [Most] Holy Place[fn] by the blood of Jesus, 20 by [the] new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,[fn] 21 and [since we have] a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, {having} our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and [our] bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised [is] faithful. 24 And let us consider how to spur one another {on} to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together as some [have made a] habit, but let us encourage [one another], and all [the] more as you see the Day approaching.

26 [If] we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume [all] adversaries. 28 Anyone who rejected [the] law of Moses died without mercy on [the testimony of] two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished [who] has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance [is] Mine; I will repay,”[fn] and again, “[The] Lord will judge His people.”[fn] 31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into [the] hands of [the] living God.

32 Remember the early days that you were in the light.[fn] In [those days], you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who [were] so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

35 So {do} not throw away your confidence; [it] holds a great reward. 36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

37 For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.

38 But My righteous one will live by faith;[fn] and if he shrinks back, I {will take} no pleasure in him.”[fn]

39 But we are not of [those who] shrink back [and] are destroyed, but of [those who have] faith [and] preserve [their] souls.