18a

when they said to you: In some languages it may be more natural to omit this phrase or to combine it with 17b. For example:

…17b–18awhat the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you to expect: 18b“In the last times…” (God’s Word)

The phrase they said to you introduced the direct quotation of the prophecy (18b–d). This prophecy can also be translated as an indirect quotation. The general comment at the end of the notes for 18d illustrates this.

18b

In the last times: In the New Testament, In the last times and similar expressions (For example, “in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1, 2 Peter 3:3), “in later times” (1 Timothy 4:1).) refer to the time between Jesus’ resurrection and his return. Other ways to translate this include:

In the final age (Revised English Bible)
-or-
near the end of time (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
In the time before Jesus returns

18c

scoffers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scoffers refers here to people who mock, ridicule, or make fun of someone else.

The prophecy Jude quoted here did not specify whom it was that the scoffers mocked. However, Jude applied this prophecy to the fake Christians, and they mocked the Lord and his people. (The idea that the fake Christians mocked the Lord, or the Lord and his people, is consistent with what Jude said in the rest of this section. It also agrees with the parallel passage in 2 Peter 3:3–4. That passage speaks of people mocking Jesus and his promise to return, and by association, the true Christians who trusted in his promise to return.) In some languages it may be necessary to specify whom they mocked. If that is true in your language, here are possible ways to translate this prophecy:

people who will mock/ridicule the Lord
-or-
people will make fun of the Lord and his people.

18d

who will follow after their own ungodly desires: This expression is similar to the one that Jude used in 16b (“follow their own desires”—God’s Word). However, here in 18d Jude added the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ungodly. See the note on 16b. If you did not use a word for ungodly in 16b, you will need to include that idea here.

ungodly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as ungodly has already been used several times in this letter. This is the last time that Jude used it. It is recommended that you refer to the notes on 4c and 15b, 15c, and 15d. Translate in a way that will be appropriate to describe “desires.” It may be possible to use the same word that you used in 15c for the phrase “every ungodly act.”

General Comment on 18a–d

The phrase “they said to you” (18a) introduces a direct quotation of a prophecy (18b–d). It can also be translated as an indirect quotation. For example:

^18aThey told you that ^18bnear the end of time, ^18c–dselfish and godless people would start making fun of God. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
^18athat ^18bin the last times ^18cthere would be scoffers ^18dwhose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

© 2007 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.