Finality of Babylon’s Fall

²¹ Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ^(A)“Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and ^(B)shall not be found anymore. ^22 (C)The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. ^23 (D)The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, ^(E)and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For ^(F)your merchants were the great men of the earth, ^(G)for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. ²⁴ And ^(H)in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who ^(I)were slain on the earth.”

¹⁶ and saying, ‘Alas, alas, ^(A)that great city ^(B)that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! ^17 (C)For in one hour such great riches ^[a]came to nothing.’ ^(D)Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance ^18 (E)and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ^(F)‘What is like this great city?’

^19 (G)“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! ^(H)For in one hour she ^[b]is made desolate.’