Judas 1
1 Judas, Jesu Christi Knecht und des Jakobus Bruder, begrüßt die (zum Heil) Berufenen, die mit Gott dem Vater in Liebe vereint und für Jesus Christus auserwählt sind.
[I am] Jude. I [serve] Jesus Christ [like] a voluntary slave [MET]. I am a [younger] brother of James, [the leader of all the congregations. I am writing] to you whom [God] has chosen [to belong to him. You are] loved by God [our] Father and protected by Jesus Christ (OR, whom [God] has protected [to present] to Jesus Christ).
2 Barmherzigkeit, Friede und Liebe werde euch reichlich zuteil!
[I pray that] you will continue to [experience] very much [God acting] mercifully toward you, [causing you to have inner] peace, and loving [you].
3 Geliebte, während ich gerade mit allem Fleiß dabei bin, euch über unser gemeinsames Heil zu schreiben, sehe ich mich genötigt, euch (zunächst) in diesem Brief zu ermahnen, daß ihr für den Glauben kämpft, der den Heiligen ein für allemal überliefert worden ist.
You whom I love, I (was very eager/very much wanted) to write to you about that which we all (share/have in common), which is how ([God/Jesus Christ]) [has] saved [us]. But now I realize that it is necessary [for me] to write to you in order to exhort you to defend the [truth about Christ] that we believe. [Jesus and his apostles] gave that truth once and for all to us who belong to God, [and we must not let it be changed] {[anyone revise/change it]}.
4 Denn es haben sich gewisse Leute heimlich (bei euch) eingeschlichen, die schon früher geschildert sind als solche, die unter dieses Urteil fallen: "Ruchlos sind sie; sie mißbrauchen die Gnade unseres Gottes, um ein Lasterleben zu führen, und verleugnen unseren alleinigen Gebieter und Herrn Jesus Christus."
Some people falsely [teach that because] God kindly does for us what we do not deserve, it (does not matter/is all right) if we continue to sin. [Those people show by the way that they conduct their lives] that they do not want to admit/accept that Jesus Christ [is] our only Master and Lord. [It was written] long ago {[Someone] long ago wrote} that [God] would condemn (such ungodly people/people like that whose lives are displeasing to him). But some [of those] people have entered [MET] [like crawling snakes] into your congregations [and oppose the truth about Christ, so you must resist/oppose them].
5 Ich möchte euch nun daran erinnern, wenn euch das alles auch schon bekannt ist, daß der Herr, der zum zweiten Mal ein Volk aus Ägyptenland errettet hat, über die Ungläubigen Verderben kommen ließ.
Although you previously knew all these things, [there are certain things about] which I desire to remind you. [Do not forget that although] the Lord rescued [his people] from Egypt, he later destroyed most of those same people, ones who did not believe [in him].
6 Auch gewisse Engel, die ihre Herrscherstellung nicht behauptet, sondern die ihnen zugewiesene Wohnung verlassen haben, verwahrt er in der Finsternis, wo sie mit ewigen Ketten gebunden sind, für das Gericht des großen Tages. (aïdios g126)
And there were [many] angels to [whom God assigned/gave positions of authority in heaven]. But many did not continue to rule with authority [in those positions]. Instead, they abandoned the place that [God] gave them to live [in heaven]. So God has put those angels in chains forever in the darkness [in hell. They will stay there] until the great day when [God] will judge [and punish] them. (aïdios g126, questioned)
7 Ebenso stehen uns Sodom und Gomorra mit ihren Nachbarstädten, die ähnlich wie die eben erwähnten Engel Unzucht getrieben haben und anderem Fleisch nachgegangen sind, als warnendes Beispiel vor Augen: sie leiden das Strafgericht eines ewigen Feuers. (aiōnios g166)
Similarly, the people who lived [MTY] in Sodom and Gomorrah [cities] and the nearby cities committed sexual immorality. They sought all kinds of sexual relations that differ [from what God permits. So God destroyed their cities. What happened to those people and those angels] shows that [God will] punish [people, such as the ones who teach false doctrine], in the eternal fire [of hell]. (aiōnios g166, questioned)
8 Trotzdem beflecken auch diese Träumer in ähnlicher Weise ihren Leib. Sie wollen von einer Oberhoheit nichts wissen und (voll Hohn und Spott) lästern sie überirdische Mächte.
Similarly, these [ungodly people in your midst] also defile their own bodies [by living immorally], because [they claim/say that God revealed] in visions [that they should act that way]. They refuse to [allow] anyone to have authority over them, and they (revile/speak evil about) [God’s] glorious/wonderful [angels].
9 Nun hat nicht einmal der Erzengel Michael, als er mit dem Teufel über Moses Leichnam in Streit und Wortwechsel geriet, ein lästerndes Urteil über ihn auszusprechen gewagt; sondern er sagte nur: "Der Herr strafe dich!"
When (the devil/Satan) argued with the chief angel, Michael, about [who would take away] the body of [the prophet] Moses [to bury it], Michael did not [do as these teachers of false doctrine do. Even though Michael has much more authority than they do], he did not disrespectfully (revile/say evil things to) Satan and accuse/condemn him. Instead, he [only] said, “[I desire that] the Lord [God] will rebuke you!”
10 Diese Leute aber lästern das, was sie gar nicht kennen. Sie folgen den sinnlichen Trieben wie die unvernünftigen Tiere, und damit richten sie sich zugrunde.
But the [ones in your midst] who teach false doctrine (revile/speak evil against) the [spiritual] beings that they do not understand. They also [do the evil things that they desire], things that they know about (naturally/without needing to think), things that they just do without considering [the consequences/results], like animals. So they destroy themselves. [But they will also be punished by God] {[God will also] punish them}.
11 Weh ihnen! Sie sind auf dem Weg Kains gewandelt; aus Gewinnsucht haben sie sich in die Verführung Bileams gestürzt, und sie sind in ihrer Empörung umgekommen wie Korah.
[God will do] terrible things to those who teach false doctrine! They conduct their lives [wickedly] like Cain, [who murdered his brother because he was] ([jealous/angry because God accepted his brother’s sacrifice and did not accept his]). These false teachers (devote themselves to [MET] [doing] wrong things [like] Balaam, who [tried to induce God’s people to sin in order to get the money that was offered to him]. They will perish like Korah, who rebelled [against the authority that God gave to Moses].
12 Diese Menschen schmausen als Schandflecke schamlos mit bei euern Liebesmahlen und mästen sich. Sie sind Wolken ohne Wasser, die von den Winden hinweggetrieben werden. Sie gleichen Bäumen im Spätherbst, an denen man keine Frucht mehr findet. Ja sie sind zweimal erstorben und mit der Wurzel ausgerissen.
Those teachers of false doctrine are [as dangerous to you as] [MET] (hidden rocks on a reef/rocks underneath the surface of the ocean) [are to a boat]. When you gather together [to eat the meals that] help you believers to love each other more and have a closer relationship with each other, they [join you and] carouse shamelessly, caring [only] for themselves [and not for others. Because they do not do anything to help others] [MET], they are [as useless as] clouds that are blown along by the wind {that the wind blows along} but that do not [produce/give] any rain. [They are as disappointing as] [MET] trees that do not produce fruit in the autumn [as we expect them to]. They are not only [spiritually] [MET] dead themselves, [but they are] not [able to cause others to be] alive [spiritually, just like] [MET] trees that have been {that [someone] has} uprooted and [as a result] are unable to produce any fruit.
13 Wilde Meereswogen sind sie, die ihre eigene Schande ausschäumen. Irrsternen gleichen sie: die Dunkelheit der Finsternis erwartet sie auf ewig. (aiōn g165)
They are [restless] [MET], [like] the pounding waves of the ocean. [Just like] waves [produce foul-smelling] foam on the shore, [those teachers of false doctrine do] shameful [MTY] [deeds. We cannot depend/rely on them to show us how to conduct our lives] [MET], [just like we cannot depend/rely on] (meteors/falling stars) [to show us the way when we travel]. [God] has reserved intense darkness for them forever [in hell]. (aiōn g165, questioned)
14 Ihnen gilt, was Henoch, Adams siebenter Nachkomme, geweissagt hat: "Der Herr", so spricht er, "ist gekommen mit viel tausend seiner heiligen Engel,
Enoch, the sixth [person in the line of people who descended] from Adam, prophesied this about those [teachers of false doctrine]: “Listen carefully to this: The Lord will certainly come with a countless number of his holy [angels] in order
15 um über alle Gericht zu halten und alle Gottlosen zu strafen wegen all ihrer ruchlosen Werke, womit sie gefrevelt, und wegen aller Lästerworte, die sie, die gottlosen Sünder, gegen ihn geredet haben."
to judge everyone, and to punish all wicked and (ungodly people/people whose lives are displeasing to God) for all the (ungodly things/things that displease God) that they did in (an ungodly way/a way that displeases God), and for all the harsh things that ungodly sinful people have spoken against him.”
16 Mit ihrer Stellung unzufrieden, murren diese Leute, während sie nach ihren Lüsten wandeln. Ihr Mund führt stolze Reden, und dabei kriechen sie vor solchen Leuten, von denen sie Gewinn erhoffen.
Those [teachers] of [false doctrine] grumble [about] the [things that God does]. They complain [about what happens to them]. They do the sinful things that their [bodies] desire. They talk boastfully. They (flatter/say nice things to) people, only in order to get [those people to give them the] things that they want.
17 Ihr aber, meine Lieben, erinnert euch der Worte, die von den Aposteln unseres Herrn Jesus Christus einst zu euch geredet sind!
But you people whom I love need to remember the things that were predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ {that the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said would happen}.
18 Sie haben euch gesagt: "In der letzten Zeit werden Spötter auftreten, die nach ihren gottlosen Lüsten wandeln."
They told you, “In the final period of time [in which we are now living] there will be people who will laugh at [the truths that God has revealed]. They will do the (ungodly things/things that are displeasing to God) that their [bodies] desire.”
19 Dies sind Leute, die Spaltungen in den Gemeinden anrichten: sie sind seelisch und haben keinen Geist.
[That describes] the teachers of false doctrine [well, because] they are the ones who cause divisions among believers. They do what their own minds tell them to do. The Spirit [of God] does not live within them.
20 Ihr aber, meine Lieben, erbaut euch auf dem Grund eures allerheiligsten Glaubens und betet in der Kraft des Heiligen Geistes!
But you people whom I love, (hold/continue to trust) firmly to the very sacred truths that you believe. Pray by [letting] the Holy Spirit enable/empower you.
21 Bleibt dadurch fest in Gottes Liebe und wartet auf die Barmherzigkeit unseres Herrn Jesus Christus, die euch zum ewigen Leben führen wird! (aiōnios g166)
Keep conducting your lives in [a way that is appropriate for those whom] God loves. Keep constantly expecting that our Lord Jesus Christ will [act] mercifully toward you. Keep expecting that until [the time when we begin] living eternally [with him]. (aiōnios g166)
22 Mit den Schwankenden habt Erbarmen:
Mercifully [help] those who are not certain [what teaching they should believe].
23 rettet sie und reißt sie aus dem Feuer! Auch den anderen helft in erbarmender Liebe! Doch seid dabei auf der Hut: verabscheut sogar das vom Fleisch befleckte Unterkleid!
[Rescue] others from [the influence of those who teach what is false] [MET], [as you would rescue things by] snatching [them from] a fire. Pity those [whom the teachers of false doctrine have completely convinced], but beware that [you yourselves are not influenced by them] {that they do not influence you}. Detest [doing or even thinking about the sins that those people commit, just like you would detest] [MET] touching not only filthy things but the clothes that were stained by those things {that those things stained}.
24 Dem aber, der euch vor allem Straucheln bewahren und tüchtig machen kann, unsträflich und mit Jauchzen zu erscheinen vor seiner Herrlichkeit:
God is able to keep you from ceasing to trust in him (OR, from sinning), and he is able to bring you into his glorious presence. [As you stand before him], there will be nothing [for which] you [will] be condemned {[he can] condemn you}, and you will be rejoicing greatly.
25 ihm, dem alleinigen Gott, der uns errettet durch Jesus Christus, unseren Herrn, gebührt Herrlichkeit und Hoheit, Macht und Gewalt vor aller Zeit, jetzt und in alle Ewigkeit! Amen. (aiōn g165)
He is the only true God. He has saved us as a result of what Jesus Christ our Lord [did for us]. God was glorious and great and mighty and he [ruled] with great authority before time began. [He is still like that], and [he will remain like that] forever! (Amen!/That is true!) (aiōn g165)
