Revelation 18 (New International Version)
View In My BibleThe Fall of Babylon
1 After this I saw another angel1 coming down from heaven.2 He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.3 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!4 She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evila spirit,5 a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.6 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.7 The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,8 and the merchants of the earth grew rich9 from her excessive luxuries."10 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people,11 so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;12 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,13 and God has remembered14 her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back15 double16 for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup.17 7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.18 In her heart she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.'19 8 Therefore in one day20 her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire,21 for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her22 and shared her luxury23 see the smoke of her burning,24 they will weep and mourn over her.25 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off26 and cry: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city,27 O Babylon, city of power! In one hour28 your doom has come!' 11 "The merchants29 of the earth will weep and mourn30 over her because no one buys their cargoes any more31-- 12 cargoes 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;32 13 cargoes 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 bodies and souls of men.33 14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her34 will stand far off,35 terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn36 16 and cry out: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city,37 dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!38 17 In one hour39 such great wealth has been brought to ruin!'40 "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea,41 will stand far off.42 18 When they see the smoke of her burning,43 they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city44?'45 19 They will throw dust on their heads,46 and with weeping and mourning47 cry out: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city,48 where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!49 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven!50 Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.' "51 21 Then a mighty angel52 picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea,53 and said: "With such violence the great city54 of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.55 No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.56 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.57 Your merchants were the world's great men.58 By your magic spell59 all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints,60 and of all who have been killed on the earth."61Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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