¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

⁹ So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

² You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

Live to Please God

4 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. ² For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

¹⁷ Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.