2 Corinthians 2:16

to the latter an odor ¹  from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? ² 

To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life–giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on?

To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things?

to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

to the latter an odor ¹  from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? ² 

¹ tn The same Greek word (ὀσμή, osmh) translated “odor” here (in relation to the stench of death) has been translated “fragrance” in 2:14 and in the next phrase of the present verse. The word itself can describe a smell or odor either agreeable or disagreeable depending on the context (L&N 79.45).

² sn These things refer to the things Paul is doing in his apostolic ministry.