A Call to Persevere

(Jude 1:17–23)

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 vvv 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, vvv profaned the blood of the covenant vvv that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 

For we know Him who said,“Vengeance [is] Mine; I will repay, says the Lord,”[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 [me] vvv in my chains[fn] and vvv joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession in heaven.[fn]

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,

vvv“In just a little while,

He who is coming will come and vvv will not delay.

38 

But the righteous 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. 11