The Fall of Babylon
AND after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying: “Babylon the great, is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of demons, and the prison of every unclean spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality; and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her; and the merchants of the earth have become rich, through the power of her sensuality.”
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying: “Come out of her, my people: that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has brought to remembrance her crimes.
6 Render to her, even as she rendered to you; and double unto her, double according to her works: in the cup which she has mixed: mix to her double!
7 As she has glorified herself, and lived in luxury: so much torment and mourning give her: for she saith in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning.’
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day: death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for mighty is the Lord God who judges her!”
The World Mourns Babylon
9 “And the kings of the earth, who have committed sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with her: shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying: ‘Woe, woe, the great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour has your condemnation come.’
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her: for no man buys their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all citron wood; and all vessels of ivory; and all vessels of most precious wood; and of brass, and iron, and marble;
13 And cinnamon, and incense, and ointments, and frankincense; and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and grain; and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots; and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that your soul desired after, are departed from you; and all things which were luxurious and splendid have departed from you: and you shall find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich because of her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying: ‘Woe, woe, the great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches have come to nought.’ And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried out, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying: ‘What city is likened to the great city!’
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying: ‘Woe, woe, the great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her wealth! for in one hour is she made desolate.’
20 Rejoice over her: heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.”
Finality of Babylon’s Fall
21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying: “Thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22 And the sound of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23 And 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 your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of holy people, and of all that were slain upon the earth.