²¹ And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humans, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.^(A)

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

² and walk in love, as Christ loved us^[a] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(A)

⁵ The Lord saw that the wickedness of humans was great in the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.^(A)

¹⁸ I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.^(A)

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

⁶ through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished.^{(A) 7} But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.^(B)

²³ since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;^(A)