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

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

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(A) by their good life, by deeds^(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

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

¹⁵ and how from infancy^(A) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(B) which are able to make you wise^(C) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(D) and is useful for teaching,^(E) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(F) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](G) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(H)

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(A) your old self,^(B) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^(C)

¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool!^(A) This very night your life will be demanded from you.^(B) Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’^(C)