even “to be compassionate toward.” In addition to other uses, in the Septuagint,1 it is also used to translate the Hebrew word for compassion. Obviously, doubters, persons on the brink of destruction, and those who are spiritually ill with error must be pitied and shown merciful compassion. They are in grave danger. The urgency and depth of need pictured by Jude’s vivid images emphasize that fact. As we have seen, mercy is the operative word in Jude 22–23. But what is the relationship between these