1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. (Eze 43:2; Re 17:1; Re 17:7)2And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. (Isa 13:21; Isa 14:23; Isa 34:11; Isa 34:14; Jer 50:39; Jer 51:37; Zep 2:14; Re 14:8; Re 16:13)3For all nations have drunk[1] the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” (Eze 27:33; Re 14:8; Re 17:2; Re 18:9; Re 18:11; Re 18:15)4Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Isa 48:20; 2Co 6:17)5for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Ge 18:20; Ezr 9:6; Jer 51:9; Jon 1:2; Re 16:19)6Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. (Ps 137:8; Jer 16:18; Jer 50:15; Jer 50:29; Jer 51:24; Jer 51:49; Re 14:10; Re 16:19; Re 17:4)7As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ (Isa 47:7; Eze 28:2; Zep 2:15; Re 3:17)8For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” (Isa 47:9; Jer 50:34; Re 17:16; Re 18:10)9And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. (Jer 50:46; Eze 26:16; Re 17:2; Re 18:3; Re 18:18; Re 19:3)10They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” (Re 14:8; Re 18:8; Re 18:15; Re 18:17; Re 18:19)11And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, (Eze 27:36; Re 18:3; Re 18:15)12cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,13cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.[2]14“The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!”15The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, (Re 18:3; Re 18:10; Re 18:11)16“Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! (Re 17:4)17For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off (Eze 27:28; Re 17:16; Re 18:10; Re 18:19)18and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?” (Eze 27:30; Eze 27:32; Re 13:4; Re 18:9)19And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste. (Jos 7:6; Job 2:12; Re 18:3; Re 18:10; Re 18:15; Re 18:17)20Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (De 32:43; Jer 51:48; Lu 11:49; Re 12:12; Re 19:2)21Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; (Jer 51:63; Re 5:2; Re 10:1; Re 18:10)22and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, (Ec 12:4; Isa 14:11; Isa 24:8; Jer 25:10; Eze 26:13)23and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. (Isa 23:8; Jer 7:34; Jer 16:9; Jer 33:11; Na 3:4)24And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” (Jer 51:49; Mt 23:35; Re 17:6)
Revelation 18
New International Version
Lament over fallen Babylon
1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendour.2With a mighty voice he shouted: ‘ “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. (Isa 21:9)3For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.’
Warning to escape Babylon’s judgment
4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘ “Come out of her, my people,” so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; (Jer 51:45)5for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.6Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.7Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, “I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow;[1] I will never mourn.” (Isa 47:7; Isa 47:8)8Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Threefold woe over Babylon’s fall
9‘When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.10Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!”11‘The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no-one buys their cargoes anymore –12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.14‘They will say, “The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendour have vanished, never to be recovered.”15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn16and cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” ‘Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, “Was there ever a city like this great city?”19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!”20‘Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.’
The finality of Babylon’s doom
21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: ‘With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.22The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.24In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.’
Revelation 18
King James Version
1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.9And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.11And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:12The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.14And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.15The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,16And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.20Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.21And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation 18
New International Reader’s Version
Weeping when Babylon falls
1After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority. His glory filled the earth with light.2With a mighty voice he shouted, ‘ “Fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!” She has become a place where demons live. She has become a den for every evil spirit. She has become a place where every “unclean” bird is found. She has become a place where every “unclean” and hated animal is found. (Isa 21:9)3All the nations have drunk the strong wine of her terrible sins. The kings of the earth took part in her evil ways. The traders of the world grew rich from her great wealth.’
Warning to run from Babylon’s judgment
4Then I heard another voice from heaven. It said, ‘ “Come out of her, my people.” Then you will not take part in her sins. You will not suffer from any of her plagues. (Jer 51:45)5Her sins are piled up to heaven. God has remembered her crimes.6Do to her as she has done to others. Pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double dose of what she has poured for others.7Give her as much pain and suffering as the glory and wealth she gave herself. She boasts to herself, “I rule on a throne like a queen. I am not a widow. I will never mourn.” (Isa 47:7; Isa 47:8)8But she will be plagued by death, sadness and hunger. In a single day she will suffer all these plagues. She will be burned up by fire. That’s because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.
How terrible when Babylon falls!
9‘The kings of the earth who committed terrible sins with her will weep. They will mourn because they used to share her riches. They will see the smoke rising as she burns.10They will be terrified by her suffering. They will stand far away from her. And they will cry out, ‘ “How terrible! How terrible it is for you, great city! How terrible for you, mighty city of Babylon! In just one hour you have been destroyed!”11‘The traders of the world will weep and mourn over her. No one buys what they sell anymore.12Here is what they had for sale. ‘Gold, silver, jewels, pearls. Fine linen, purple, silk, bright red cloth. Every kind of citron wood. All sorts of things made out of ivory, valuable wood, bronze, iron, marble.13Cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense. Wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat. Cattle, sheep, horses, carriages, and human beings sold as slaves.14‘The merchants will say, “The pleasure you longed for has left you. All your riches and glory have disappeared for ever.”15The traders who sold these things became rich because of Babylon. When she suffers, they will stand far away. Her suffering will terrify them. They will weep and mourn.16They will cry out, ‘ “How terrible! How terrible it is for you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and bright red! How terrible for you, great city, gleaming with gold, jewels and pearls!17In just one hour your great wealth has been destroyed!” ‘Every sea captain and all who travel by ship will stand far away. So will the sailors and all who earn their living from the sea.18They will see the smoke rising as Babylon burns. They will ask, “Was there ever a city like this great city?”19They will throw dust on their heads. They will weep and mourn. They will cry out, ‘ “How terrible! How terrible it is for you, great city! All who had ships on the sea became rich because of her wealth! In just one hour she has been destroyed!”20‘You heavens, be glad for this! You people of God, be glad! You apostles and prophets, be glad! God has judged her with the judgment she gave to you.’
Babylon’s judgment is final
21Then a mighty angel picked up a huge rock. It was the size of a large millstone. He threw it into the sea. Then he said, ‘That is how the great city of Babylon will be thrown down. Never again will it be found.22The songs of musicians will never be heard in you again. Gone will be the music of harps, flutes and trumpets. No worker of any kind will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. Your traders were among the world’s most important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.24You were guilty of the murder of prophets and God’s holy people. You were guilty of the blood of all who have been killed on the earth.’