Jude 1:21
New International Version
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

New Living Translation
and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

English Standard Version
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Berean Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

Berean Literal Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

King James Bible
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

New King James Version
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

New American Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

NASB 1995
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

NASB 1977
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Legacy Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Amplified Bible
and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.

Christian Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.

American Standard Version
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Contemporary English Version
And keep in step with God's love, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to show how kind he is by giving you eternal life.

English Revised Version
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

Good News Translation
and keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.

International Standard Version
Remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, which brings eternal life.

Majority Standard Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

NET Bible
maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life.

New Heart English Bible
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to everlasting life.

Webster's Bible Translation
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Weymouth New Testament
must keep yourselves safe in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will result in the Life of the Ages.

World English Bible
Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [resulting] in continuous life;

Berean Literal Bible
keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Young's Literal Translation
yourselves in the love of God keep ye, waiting for the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ -- to life age-during;

Smith's Literal Translation
Keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.

Catholic Public Domain Version
keeping yourselves in the love of God, and anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

New American Bible
Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

New Revised Standard Version
keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ and for the life which is ours forever.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But let us keep ourselves in the love of God as we look for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah unto our eternal life.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to eternal life.

Godbey New Testament
keep yourselves in the divine love of God, receiving the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Haweis New Testament
preserve yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Mace New Testament
and thereby cultivate the divine favour, in the expectation of eternal life by the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
must keep yourselves safe in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will result in the Life of the Ages.

Worrell New Testament
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Worsley New Testament
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Call to Persevere
20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. 22And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;…

Cross References
John 15:9-10
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. / If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

1 John 4:16
And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

2 Peter 3:13-14
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. / Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. / For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. / Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. / And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

Titus 2:13
as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

1 Corinthians 1:7-8
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. / He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:24
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Psalm 33:18
Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion


Treasury of Scripture

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Keep.

Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 15:9,10
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…

in.

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

looking.

Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Lamentations 3:25,26
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him…

Matthew 24:42-51
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…

the mercy.

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:2
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:2,16,18
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord…

unto.

Romans 5:21
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 5:10,11
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son…

Jump to Previous
Age-During Ages Anxiously Awaiting Christ Eternal God's Jesus Kindness Love Mercy Result Safe Wait Waiting Yourselves
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Age-During Ages Anxiously Awaiting Christ Eternal God's Jesus Kindness Love Mercy Result Safe Wait Waiting Yourselves
Jude 1
1. He exhorts them to be constant in the profession of the faith.
4. false teachers crept in to seduce them, for whose evil doctrine a horrible punishment is prepared;
20. whereas the godly may persevere, grow in grace, and keep the faith.














keep yourselves
The phrase "keep yourselves" is derived from the Greek word "τηρέω" (tēreō), which means to guard, watch over, or preserve. This implies an active responsibility on the part of believers to maintain their spiritual condition. In the historical context of Jude, the early church faced false teachings and moral decay, necessitating vigilance. The call to "keep" suggests a continuous, intentional effort to remain steadfast in faith, akin to a watchman guarding a city.

in the love of God
The "love of God" here is not merely an emotional state but a profound, covenantal relationship. The Greek word for love, "ἀγάπη" (agapē), signifies selfless, sacrificial love. This love is the foundation of the believer's relationship with God, reflecting His nature and character. Historically, the love of God is demonstrated through His redemptive acts, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to remain within this sphere of divine love, which provides security and assurance amidst trials.

as you await
The phrase "as you await" comes from the Greek "προσδέχομαι" (prosdechomai), meaning to expect or look forward to. This denotes an attitude of hopeful anticipation. In the early church, there was a strong eschatological expectation, a looking forward to the return of Christ. This waiting is not passive but active, involving preparation and readiness, much like the parable of the wise virgins in Matthew 25.

the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
"Mercy" in this context is "ἔλεος" (eleos) in Greek, emphasizing compassion and kindness. The mercy of Jesus is a central theme in the New Testament, highlighting His role as Savior and Redeemer. Historically, mercy is a key attribute of God, often associated with His covenant faithfulness. The early Christians understood this mercy as both a present reality and a future hope, culminating in salvation and eternal life.

to bring you eternal life
"Eternal life" is translated from the Greek "ζωὴν αἰώνιον" (zōēn aiōnion), referring to life that is both qualitative and unending. It is not merely an extension of temporal existence but a participation in the divine nature. In the scriptural context, eternal life is a gift from God, secured through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, a life in perfect communion with Him. The early church viewed eternal life as the ultimate hope and goal of the Christian journey, a reality that begins now and is fully realized in the age to come.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
keep
τηρήσατε (tērēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.

yourselves
ἑαυτοὺς (heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] love
ἀγάπῃ (agapē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

as you await
προσδεχόμενοι (prosdechomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4327: From pros and dechomai; to admit (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mercy
ἔλεος (eleos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1656: Pity, mercy, compassion. Of uncertain affinity; compassion.

of our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

to bring [you]
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

eternal
αἰώνιον (aiōnion)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 166: From aion; perpetual.

life.
ζωὴν (zōēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.


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NT Letters: Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God (Jud. Ju Jd)
Jude 1:20
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