Read the Bible

¹ This letter is from Jude, a cowboy of Christ and James's brother.

To all those who've been called to ride for the brand with the love and protection of Jesus Christ.

² Here's hoping that God is going to overload you with grace, mercy, and love.

Counterfeit Cowboys

³ Listen, pards, I wanted to write to you about this great salvation we share, but something else has come up. I feel like I need to warn you about the fight you're fixing to find yourself in. ⁴ There are counterfeit cowboys springing up out of the brush everywhere and trying to undermine the truth of what Jesus said and did. The Good Book said long ago that fire waits on these no-account curs.

⁵ You already know this, but let me say it again. You remember that the Lord saved everyone from Israel who was held hostage in Egypt. After they'd all escaped, the Lord decimated the unbelievers. ⁶ Also remember those angels who didn't do what God had said. They are now locked in chains in the forever dark below. God is making them wait for his Day of Sentencing. They'll get what's coming to them. ⁷ Don't forget about Sodom and Gomorrah. Their people acted like those angels. They all indulged in sexual immorality and perversion. Those cities and their peoples were destroyed. Think of it like a warning shot from God for all of us not to ride those trails.

⁸ There are some people who claim to have dreams that come from some god. They live lustful lives, scoff at authority, and insult the angels and such. ⁹ But even Michael, one of the strongest of God's angels, didn't dare to even condemn the devil (a one-time angel himself) with harsh words. When they were arguing over the body of Moses, Michael just said, "It ain't happening. God's gonna give you what you've got coming, Lucifer." ¹⁰ But people like this attack anything they don't understand with venomous insults. They are like snakes that don't know anything except to bite. The trouble is, venomous snakes that try to bite get their heads chopped off. ¹¹ Honestly, it's sad. They have chosen the trail of Cain. For no more reason than money, they've chosen to turn from the Lord like Balaam did. They've gone off the deep end like Korah did and rebelled against God. And just like him, they are destroyed. ¹² With the way they holler and lustfully carouse around, they are like a venereal disease running through the registered herd. They are like cowardly cowboys who only take care of themselves, not the herd. They are like black clouds that don't offer a drop of rain or fruit trees that bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. ¹³ The deeds of their lust lie on the beach like foam after a churning sea. They are like comets shining bright, but headed for a black hole.

¹⁴ It was Enoch, seven generations removed from Adam, who told the truth about these counterfeit cowboys, "The Lord will ride in with thousands of his angels behind him ¹⁵ to bring judgment on all of them for the godless lives and immoral acts they did. Those who stand in judgment will come to regret the godless words they used to insult the Lord."

¹⁶ This type of person is always complaining about this or that and blaming others for everything. They follow their own evil ways and brag about all they are and all they've done. They flatter others with lies so they can rob them blind.

Watch Out!

¹⁷ But don't forget what Jesus's twelve cowboys told y'all. ¹⁸ They said, "When the end gets near, people will laugh at you and follow their own godless ways." ¹⁹ These are the folks who split herds. They aren't controlled by God, but by their own evil desires. The Holy Ghost ain't in them. ²⁰ But you cowboys, y'all keep riding in faith. Pray with the power of the Holy Ghost. ²¹ Stay saddled up with the love of God as you wait for Jesus to come riding back over the hill to get us and take us home.

²² When someone is having a hard time and having doubts, don't kick them when they're down. ²³ Snatch them up quick before they land in the fire. Go easy on people, but not on sin.

Final Prayer

²⁴ To him who is able to keep you in the saddle and present you as faultless before God—²⁵ to our one and only God, our only savior, Jesus Christ, let there by glory, majesty, might, and authority, forever and ever, amen.