¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^(A)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(A) we have not stopped praying for you.^(B) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(C) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[a](D)

¹⁸ if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

⁴⁷ “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.^(A)