Lament over Babylon

Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep[fn] and wail at vvv the sight of the smoke [rising] from the fire that consumes her.[fn] 10 In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance [and] cry out:

“Woe, woe to the great city,

the mighty city of Babylon!

For [in] a single hour

your judgment has come.”

11 

And the merchants of the earth will weep[fn] and mourn over her, because [there is] no one left to buy their cargo — 12 cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; [of] fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 of cinnamon,[fn] incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of [slaves]. 14 And [they will say]:[fn]

“The fruit of your soul’s desire

has departed from you;

all [your] luxury and splendor have vanished

vvv vvv never to be [seen] [again].”

15 

The merchants who sold these things [and] gained their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn, 16 saying:

“Woe, woe to the great city,

clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet,

adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!

17 

For [in] a single hour

such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!”

Every shipmaster, passenger and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance 18 and cry out at the sight of the smoke [rising] from the fire that consumes her.“What [city was ever] like [this] great city?” they will exclaim.

19 

Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out

“Woe, woe to the great city,

vvv [where] all who had ships on the sea

were enriched by her wealth!

For in a single hour

she has been destroyed.”

20 

Rejoice over her, O heaven,

and [you] saints and apostles[fn] and prophets,

because God has pronounced for you

[His] judgment against her.

21