2 Corinthians 2:16 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient?

English ASV

to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

English Amplified

To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?]

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?]

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

to the one an odour from death unto death, but to the others an odour from life unto life; and who [is] sufficient for these things?

English EASY 2024

For the people who are dying, we are like a bad smell that brings a message of death. But for the people that God is saving, we are like a lovely smell that brings a message of new life. Nobody is really good enough to tell such an important message!

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

To those who are being lost, this perfume smells like death, and it brings them death. But to those who are being saved, it has the sweet smell of life, and it brings them life. So who is good enough to do this work?

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

English GNT (Good News Translation)

For those who are being lost, it is a deadly stench that kills; but for those who are being saved, it is a fragrance that brings life. Who, then, is capable for such a task?

English God's Word - GW 1995

To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ?

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

English KJV 1611

To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

English LSB

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

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

To the one we are the fragrance of death, which brings death, and to the other the fragrance of life, which brings life. Who is sufficient for these things?

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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?

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. Who is qualified for this?

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

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

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

To the one, we are the smell of death. To the other, we are the perfume of life. Who is able to do that work?

English NIV

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

English NKJ 1982

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?

English NLT

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?

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

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

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

The unbelievers smell a deadly stench that leads to death, but believers smell the life-giving aroma that leads to abundant life. And who of us can rise to this challenge?

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

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

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life-giving perfume. But who is adequate for such a task as this?

English Tyndale 1537

to the one part are we the savor of death unto death: (.And) unto the other part are we the savor of life unto life. And who is meet unto these things?

2 Corinthians 2:16 — Compare Translations