Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy^(A) of the Lord and please him^(B) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^(C)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.^(B)

¹⁸ But grow in the grace^(A) and knowledge^(B) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(C) To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.^(D)

¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(A) for with such sacrifices^(B) God is pleased.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love^(A) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^(B)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received.

²² and receive from him anything we ask,^(A) because we keep his commands^(B) and do what pleases him.^(C)

⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you^(A) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(B) of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(C) Onesimus,^[a](D) who became my son while I was in chains.^(E)