Open Bible Data Home About News OET Key
OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search
InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Rev C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22
Rev 18 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24
OET (OET-LV) And the fruit of_you of_the desire of_the soul went_away from you, and all the sleek things and the splendid things destroyed from you, and no_longer by_no_means not them will_be_finding.
OET (OET-RV) People will say, “The good things the people of Babylon longed to have are gone. Their splendid and luxurious goods have been destroyed and won’t become available again.”
In this section, three heavenly beings each announce something about Babylon. The first announcement is that the city is destroyed. Her riches and prosperity have been taken away.
The second announcement is that God’s people should leave Babylon before God destroys her. It also describes how kings and others mourn over the destroyed city.
The third announcement is that Babylon will never be built again.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
An angel announced that Babylon was destroyed, and some groups are sad
Announcements about the destruction of Babylon
Various people talk about Babylon
And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”: The BSB adds the words “And they will say” and quote marks to the beginning of 18:14a. However, the Greek does not introduce a new speaker here. There are several ways to interpret who said these words:
The voice from heaven (18:4) continues speaking. The NASB begins this verse without any added words and does not indicate a change of speaker with a change of quote mark. For example:
The fruit… (NJB, NASB, NABRE)
John continues speaking. The CEV begins this verse without any added words and does not indicate a change of speaker with a change of quote mark. But the CEV indicates that the voice from heaven stopped speaking at 18:8. For example:
The fruit… (CEV, NET)
The merchants spoke the words of 18:14. The GNT adds the words “The merchants say to her,” and therefore says:
The merchants say to her, “All the good things… (BSB, NIV, GNT, NLT, GW, REB, NCV)The RSV, ESV, and NLT begin this verse with double quote marks but do not indicate who spoke, so it is difficult to know whether they indicate the merchants spoke or the kings of the earth (18:9) spoke again.
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because:
the Greek does not indicate or imply a change of speaker,
it makes little sense to have the merchants speak here (interpretation 3), and then introduce them as speaking in the next verse,
the things said here are more appropriate coming from someone agreeing with God’s judgment than from the merchants mourning the loss of their best customer,
it seems unlikely that John (interpretation 2) would interrupt the heavenly voice with his own prophecy here,
interpretation (1) at the note on 18:9–20 recommends it.Lenski (page 523–524) indicates in his translation that the person who introduced the merchants also spoke this verse. Charles (vol.2, page 433) thinks that it is a heavenly voice speaking.
If people in your area will not be clear as to who spoke this verse, you may want to:
Explain in a footnote. For example:
The voice from heaven continued speaking here.
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
The voice from heaven continued and said, “The fruit…
If you followed interpretation (2) at the note on 18:9–20, you can:
Allow the voice to speak this verse. For example:
The voice from heaven said, “The fruit…
Allow John to speak this verse by not introducing who spoke or adding quote marks. The CEV and NET have John speaking. For example, the CEV says:
Babylon, the things…
Allowing the heavenly voice to speak seems more likely, as John mostly observes throughout the vision and does not speak unless spoken to. For this reason, the Notes will follow the NASB for 18:14a–b.
And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you;
¶ The fruit you craved is gone. (GW)
¶ The good/fancy things that you(sing) desired so much have left you.
The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you: The word fruit refers figuratively to good things that pleased or benefited the woman, the city called Babylon. She desired to have them. Other ways to translate this clause are:
The fruit you craved is gone (GW)
All the good things you longed to own have disappeared (GNT)
The fancy things you loved so much are gone (NLT)
all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”
All of your costly/luxurious goods/items and shiny/sparkling jewelry/trinkets are destroyed and will never be found again.
All your glamorous and glittery things are lost, and no one will ever find them again.
luxury: The Greek word that the BSB translates as luxury literally means “fatty.” Here it refers figuratively to things that are luxurious and expensive. Other ways to translate this word are:
dainties (RSV)
all things that were luxurious (NASB)
delicacies (ESV)
splendor: The Greek word here refers to something bright or shiny. Here it probably refers to shiny and expensive items like jewels, jewelry, and precious metals. Other ways to translate this word are:
sparkling trinkets/things
all things that were…splendid (NASB)
all the…glamour (REB)
have vanished: These Greek words can be translated as “have perished from you” or “are lost to you.” It indicates that Babylon’s riches and splendor were destroyed. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
are destroyed
are lost to you (NRSV)
never to be seen again: There is a textual issue with the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as never to be seen again:
Some Greek manuscripts have the clause they will never find. It indicates that nobody will find the lost riches and splendor. For example:
never to be found again (RSV) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, NABRE, NLT, GW, NET, REB, ESV)
Other Greek manuscripts have the clause you may never find. It indicates that Babylon will not find the lost riches and splendor. For example:
you will never find them again (GNT) (GNT, CEV, NCV, KJV)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Greek NT supports it.
The Greek indicates generally that no one will find Babylon’s lost riches and splendor. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
it will never again be seenWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.
No one will ever find them again (GW)
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / apostrophe
ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ
the fruit (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
As John relates this vision, here he addresses something that he knows cannot hear him, the city of Babylon in the vision, in order to show his readers in a strong way how he feels about it. If someone speaking your language would not do this, you could translate this as John speaking about Babylon rather than to Babylon. Alternate translation: [her autumn fruit, the desire of her soul, has gone away from her, and all the luxurious and the splendid has perished from her]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς
the fruit (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
In this possessive form, fruit is the object of desire rather than the result of desire. That is, this does not mean fruit that the soul’s desire has borne, but it means fruit that the soul desires to have. Alternate translation: [the autumn fruit that your soul desires to have]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν
the fruit (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
Here the term soul represents the whole person by association with the way that each person has a soul. Alternate translation: [the autumn fruit that you desired has gone away]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
ἡ ὀπώρα
the fruit
John is referring to ripe fruit by association with the way fruit ripens in the autumn. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [ripe fruit]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἡ ὀπώρα & ἀπῆλθεν
the fruit & went_away
John is using autumn fruit to represent the rich pleasures that Babylon desired. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [rich pleasures … have gone away]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism
πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [all the luxurious and the splendid has perished from you forever]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj
πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
John is using the adjectives luxurious and splendid as nouns to mean certain kinds of goods. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this phrase with an equivalent one. Alternate translation: [all the luxurious and splendid goods] or [everything that is luxurious and splendid]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet
πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
The terms luxurious and splendid mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [all the very luxurious goods]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom
οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν
no_longer (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
Here the expression will not be found means “will not be able to be found” or “will not be there.” Alternate translation: [they will not be there any longer]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives
οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν
no_longer (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
The merchants are actually using a double negative here, “they will not be found at all no longer.” The second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. If for emphasis your language uses double negatives that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction here in your translation.
Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ ὀπώρα σοῦ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπό σοῦ καί παντᾶ τά λιπαρά καί τά λαμπρά ἀπώλετο ἀπό σοῦ καί οὐκέτι οὒ μή αὐτά εὑρήσουσιν)
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [certainly no one will find them]
18:1-24 This chapter contains seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on 17:5).
OET (OET-LV) And the fruit of_you of_the desire of_the soul went_away from you, and all the sleek things and the splendid things destroyed from you, and no_longer by_no_means not them will_be_finding.
OET (OET-RV) People will say, “The good things the people of Babylon longed to have are gone. Their splendid and luxurious goods have been destroyed and won’t become available again.”
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.