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

¹³ while ^(A)evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and ^(B)being deceived.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? ^(A)By his good conduct let him show his works ^(B)in the meekness of wisdom.

⁹ And so, ^(A)from the day we heard, ^(B)we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that ^(C)you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all ^(D)spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as ^(E)to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, ^(F)fully pleasing to him: ^(G)bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

¹⁵ and how ^(A)from childhood you have been acquainted with ^(B)the sacred writings, ^(C)which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ^16 (D)All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that ^(E)the man of God^[a] may be complete, ^(F)equipped ^(G)for every good work.

²² to ^(A)put off ^(B)your old self,^[a] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through ^(C)deceitful desires,

¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up ^(A)for many years; relax, ^(B)eat, drink, be merry.”’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ^(C)‘Fool! ^(D)This night ^(E)your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, ^(F)whose will they be?’