13. They also sell cinnamon, spice, incense, frankincense, myrrh, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, carriages, and slaves—yes, even human lives. The merchants will cry and say,
14. ‘O Babylon, the good things you wanted have left you. All your rich and fancy things have disappeared. You will never have them again.’
15. “The merchants will be afraid of her suffering and will stand far away from her. They are the ones who became rich from selling those things to her. They will cry and be sad.
16. They will say, ‘Terrible! How terrible for the great city! She was dressed in fine linen; she wore purple and scarlet cloth. She was shining with gold, jewels, and pearls!
17. All these riches have been destroyed in one hour!’ “Every sea captain, all those who travel on ships, the sailors, and all those who earn money from the sea stood far away from Babylon.
18. They saw the smoke from her burning. They cried out, ‘There was never a city like this great city!’
19. They threw dust on their heads and cried loudly to show the deep sorrow they felt. They said, ‘Terrible! How terrible for the great city! All those who had ships on the sea became rich because of her wealth! But she has been destroyed in one hour!
20. Be happy because of this, O heaven! Be happy, God’s holy people and apostles and prophets! God has punished her because of what she did to you.’”
21. Then a powerful angel picked up a large rock. This rock was as big as a large millstone. The angel threw the rock into the sea and said, “That is how the great city of Babylon will be thrown down. It will never be found again.
22. O Babylon, the music of people playing harps and other instruments, flutes and trumpets will never be heard in you again. No worker doing any job will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voices of a bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great people. All the nations were tricked by your magic.