¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among ^(A)those who are being saved and among ^(B)those who are perishing,

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

¹⁸ For the word of the cross is ^(A)folly to ^(B)those who are perishing, but to us ^(C)who are being saved it is ^(D)the power of God.

² And ^(A)walk in love, ^(B)as Christ loved us and ^(C)gave himself up for us, a ^(D)fragrant ^(E)offering and sacrifice to God.

⁴¹ As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when ^(A)I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And ^(B)I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.

¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ^(A)having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ^(B)a fragrant offering, ^(C)a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

³ And even ^(A)if our gospel is veiled, ^(B)it is veiled to ^(C)those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case ^(D)the god of this world ^(E)has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing ^(F)the light of ^(G)the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^(H)who is the image of God.

¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for ^(A)those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

²⁵ Then ^(A)you shall take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a ^(B)pleasing aroma before the Lord. It is a food offering to the Lord.