14 But thanks be to God,(A) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma(B) of the knowledge(C) of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma(D) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.(E) 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death;(F) to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?(G) 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.(H) On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,(I) as those sent from God.(J)

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14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.[a] 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:(A) 16 to the one group a fragrance from death[b] to death, to the other a fragrance from life[c] to life. Who is qualified for these things?(B) 17 For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many,[d] but as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God, we are speaking in Christ before God.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.14 Gk the fragrance of the knowledge of him
  2. 2.16 Other ancient authorities read fragrance of death that leads
  3. 2.16 Other ancient authorities read fragrance of life that leads
  4. 2.17 Other ancient authorities read like the rest