¹⁷ So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.^(A)

² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[a](A)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s^[a] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,^(A)

¹⁵ Be careful, then, how you live,^[a] not as unwise people but as wise,

² so as to live for the rest of your time in the flesh no longer by human desires but by the will of God.^(A)

A Life Pleasing to God

4 Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more.^{(A) 2} For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;^(B)

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^[a](A)

¹⁷ Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.^(A)