1 Thessalonians 4:1-9

1Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation].

2For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality;

4that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane],

5not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will;

6and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you.

7For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].

8So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

9Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].