17. In one moment all this wealth has been destroyed!’Every ship’s captain, everyone who traveled by ship, sailors, and everyone who made their living from the sea stood far away.
18. When they saw the smoke rise from her raging fire, they repeatedly cried out, ‘Was there ever a city as important as this?’
19. Then they threw dust on their heads and shouted while crying and mourning,‘How horrible, how horrible for that important city.Everyone who had a ship at seagrew rich because of that city’s high prices.In one moment it has been destroyed!’
20. “Gloat over it, heaven, God’s people, apostles, and prophets.God has condemned it for you.”
21. Then a powerful angel picked up a stone that was like a large millstone. He threw it into the sea and said,“The important city Babylon will be thrown down with the same force.It will never be found again.
22. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeterswill never be heard in it again.A skilled craftsman—regardless of the type of craft—will never be found in it again.The sound of a millstonewill never be heard in it again.
23. Light from lampswill never shine in it again.Voices of brides and groomswill never be heard in it again.Its merchants were the important people of the world,because all the nations were deceived by its witchcraft.
24. “The blood of prophets, God’s people, and everyone who had been murdered on earth was found in it.”