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Revelation 17
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

V. The Punishment of Babylon and the Destruction of Pagan Nations

Chapter 17

Babylon the Great. 1 [a]Then one of the seven angels who were holding the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come here. I will show you the judgment on the great harlot[b] who lives near the many waters.(A) 2 [c]The kings of the earth have had intercourse with her,(B) and the inhabitants of the earth became drunk on the wine of her harlotry.” 3 Then he carried me away in spirit to a deserted place where I saw a woman seated on a scarlet beast[d] that was covered with blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns.(C) 4 The woman was wearing purple and scarlet and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls.(D) She held in her hand a gold cup that was filled with the abominable and sordid deeds of her harlotry. 5 On her forehead was written a name, which is a mystery, “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” 6 [e]I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the holy ones and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.

Meaning of the Beast and Harlot.[f] When I saw her I was greatly amazed. 7 The angel said to me, “Why are you amazed? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 [g](E)The beast that you saw existed once but now exists no longer. It will come up from the abyss and is headed for destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world shall be amazed when they see the beast, because it existed once but exists no longer, and yet it will come again. 9 Here is a clue[h] for one who has wisdom. The seven heads represent seven hills upon which the woman sits. They also represent seven kings:(F) 10 five have already fallen, one still lives, and the last has not yet come,[i] and when he comes he must remain only a short while. 11 The beast[j] that existed once but exists no longer is an eighth king, but really belongs to the seven and is headed for destruction. 12 The ten horns that you saw represent ten kings who have not yet been crowned;[k] they will receive royal authority along with the beast for one hour.(G) 13 They are of one mind and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will fight with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and king of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”(H)

15 Then he said to me, “The waters that you saw where the harlot lives represent large numbers of peoples, nations, and tongues. 16 The ten horns[l] that you saw and the beast will hate the harlot; they will leave her desolate and naked; they will eat her flesh and consume her with fire.(I) 17 For God has put it into their minds to carry out his purpose and to make them come to an agreement to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are accomplished. 18 The woman whom you saw represents the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”

Footnotes

  1. 17:1–19:10 The punishment of Babylon is now described as a past event and, metaphorically, under the image of the great harlot who leads people astray into idolatry.
  2. 17:1–6 Babylon, the symbolic name (Rev 17:5) of Rome, is graphically described as “the great harlot.”
  3. 17:2 Intercourse…harlotry: see note on Rev 14:4. The pagan kings subject to Rome adopted the cult of the emperor.
  4. 17:3 Scarlet beast: see note on Rev 13:1–10. Blasphemous names: divine titles assumed by the Roman emperors; see note on Rev 13:5–6.
  5. 17:6 Reference to the great wealth and idolatrous cults of Rome.
  6. 17:6b–18 An interpretation of the vision is here given.
  7. 17:8 Allusion to the belief that the dead Nero would return to power (Rev 17:11); see note on Rev 13:3.
  8. 17:9 Here is a clue: literally, “Here a mind that has wisdom.” Seven hills: of Rome.
  9. 17:10 There is little agreement as to the identity of the Roman emperors alluded to here. The number seven (Rev 17:9) suggests that all the emperors are meant; see note on Rev 1:4.
  10. 17:11 The beast: Nero; see note on Rev 17:8.
  11. 17:12–13 Ten kings who have not yet been crowned: perhaps Parthian satraps who are to accompany the revived Nero (the beast) in his march on Rome to regain power; see note on Rev 13:3. In Rev 19:11–21, the Lamb and his companions will conquer them.
  12. 17:16–18 The ten horns: the ten pagan kings (Rev 17:12) who unwittingly fulfill God’s will against harlot Rome, the great city; cf. Ez 16:37.
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Apocalipsis 17
Biblia del Jubileo

17 ¶ Y vino uno de los siete ángeles que tenían las siete copas, y habló conmigo, diciéndome: Ven, y te mostraré la condenación de la gran ramera, la cual está sentada sobre muchas aguas;

2 con la cual han fornicado los reyes de la tierra, y los que moran en la tierra se han embriagado con el vino de su fornicación.

3 Y me llevó en el espíritu al desierto; y vi una mujer sentada sobre una bestia de color de grana, que estaba llena de nombres de blasfemia y que tenía siete cabezas y diez cuernos.

4 Y la mujer estaba vestida de púrpura y de grana, y dorada con oro, y adornada de piedras preciosas y de perlas, teniendo un cáliz de oro en su mano lleno de abominaciones y de la suciedad de su fornicación;

5 y en su frente un nombre escrito: MISTERIO, BABILONIA LA GRANDE, MADRE DE LAS RAMERAS Y DE LAS ABOMINACIONES DE LA TIERRA.

6 Y vi la mujer embriagada de la sangre de los santos, y de la sangre de los mártires de Jesús; y cuando la vi, quedé maravillado de gran asombro.

7 ¶ Y el ángel me dijo: ¿Por qué te maravillas? Yo te diré el misterio de la mujer, y de la bestia que la trae, la cual tiene siete cabezas y diez cuernos.

8 La bestia que has visto, fue, y ya no es; y ha de subir del abismo, y ha de ir a perdición; y los moradores de la tierra, (cuyos nombres no están escritos en el libro de la vida desde la fundación del mundo,) se maravillarán viendo la bestia que era, y no es, aunque es.

9 Y aquí hay sentido que tiene sabiduría. Las siete cabezas son siete montes, sobre los cuales se asienta la mujer.

10 Y son siete reyes. Los cinco son caídos; el uno es; el otro aun no es venido; y cuando fuere venido, es necesario que dure breve tiempo.

11 Y la bestia que era, y no es, es también el octavo rey, y es de los siete, y va a perdición.

12 Y los diez cuernos que has visto, son diez reyes, que aun no han tomado reino; mas tomarán potencia por una hora como reyes con la bestia.

13 Estos tienen un consejo, y darán su potencia y autoridad a la bestia.

14 ¶ Ellos pelearán contra el Cordero, y el Cordero los vencerá, porque es el Señor de señores, y el Rey de reyes; y los que están con él son llamados, y elegidos, y fieles.

15 Y él me dice: Las aguas que has visto donde la ramera se sienta, son pueblos y muchedumbres y naciones y lenguas.

16 Y los diez cuernos que viste en la bestia, éstos aborrecerán a la ramera, y la harán desolada y desnuda; y comerán sus carnes, y la quemarán con fuego,

17 porque Dios ha puesto en sus corazones ejecutar lo que a él place, que hagan una voluntad y que den su reino a la bestia, hasta que sean cumplidas las palabras de Dios.

18 Y la mujer que has visto, es la gran ciudad que tiene reino sobre los reyes de la tierra.

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Revelation 17
New International Version

Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

17 One of the seven angels(A) who had the seven bowls(B) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment(C) of the great prostitute,(D) who sits by many waters.(E) 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”(F)

3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit(G) into a wilderness.(H) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet(I) beast that was covered with blasphemous names(J) and had seven heads and ten horns.(K) 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.(L) She held a golden cup(M) in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.(N) 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:(O)

babylon the great(P)

the mother of prostitutes(Q)

and of the abominations of the earth.

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people,(R) the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery(S) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.(T) 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss(U) and go to its destruction.(V) The inhabitants of the earth(W) whose names have not been written in the book of life(X) from the creation of the world will be astonished(Y) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom.(Z) The seven heads(AA) are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not,(AB) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12 “The ten horns(AC) you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour(AD) will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.(AE) 14 They will wage war(AF) against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over(AG) them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings(AH)—and with him will be his called, chosen(AI) and faithful followers.”

15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters(AJ) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.(AK) 16 The beast and the ten horns(AL) you saw will hate the prostitute.(AM) They will bring her to ruin(AN) and leave her naked;(AO) they will eat her flesh(AP) and burn her with fire.(AQ) 17 For God has put it into their hearts(AR) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,(AS) until God’s words are fulfilled.(AT) 18 The woman you saw is the great city(AU) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

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Revelation 17
New King James Version

The Scarlet Woman and the Scarlet Beast

17 Then (A)one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying [a]to me, “Come, (B)I will show you the judgment of (C)the great harlot (D)who sits on many waters, 2 (E)with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and (F)the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit (G)into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting (H)on a scarlet beast which was full of (I)names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman (J)was arrayed in purple and scarlet, (K)and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, (L)having in her hand a golden cup (M)full of abominations and the filthiness of [b]her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

(N)MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw (O)the woman, drunk (P)with the blood of the saints and with the blood of (Q)the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the [c]mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and (R)will ascend out of the bottomless pit and (S)go to [d]perdition. And those who (T)dwell on the earth (U)will marvel, (V)whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and [e]yet is.

9 (W)“Here is the mind which has wisdom: (X)The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must (Y)continue a short time. 11 The (Z)beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to [f]perdition.

12 (AA)“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 (AB)These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will (AC)overcome them, (AD)for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; (AE)and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 Then he said to me, (AF)“The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, (AG)are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you [g]saw on the beast, (AH)these will hate the harlot, make her (AI)desolate (AJ)and naked, eat her flesh and (AK)burn her with fire. 17 (AL)For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, (AM)until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw (AN)is that great city (AO)which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 17:1 NU, M omit to me
  2. Revelation 17:4 M the fornication of the earth
  3. Revelation 17:7 hidden truth
  4. Revelation 17:8 destruction
  5. Revelation 17:8 NU, M shall be present
  6. Revelation 17:11 destruction
  7. Revelation 17:16 NU, M saw, and the beast
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Revelation 17
Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls(A) came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute[a] who sits on many[b] waters.(B) 2 The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.”(C) 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit[c](D) to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered[d] with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns.(E) 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile(F) and with the impurities of her[e] prostitution. 5 On her forehead a cryptic name(G) was written:

BABYLON THE GREAT

THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES

AND OF THE VILE THINGS OF THE EARTH.

6 Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

7 Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss(H) and go to destruction.(I) Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world(J) will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.(K)

9 “Here is the mind with wisdom:[f](L) The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. 10 They are also seven kings:[g] Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is himself an eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. 12 The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.(M) Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.(N) 16 The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute.(O) They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire.(P) 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose(Q) and to give their kingdom[h] to the beast until God’s words are accomplished. 18 And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire[i] over the kings of the earth.”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 17:1 Traditionally translated the great whore
  2. Revelation 17:1 Or by many
  3. Revelation 17:3 Or in spirit
  4. Revelation 17:3 Lit was filled
  5. Revelation 17:4 Other mss read of earth’s
  6. Revelation 17:9 Or This calls for the mind with wisdom
  7. Revelation 17:10 Some editors or translators put They are also seven kings: in v. 9.
  8. Revelation 17:17 Or sovereignty
  9. Revelation 17:18 Or has sovereignty or rulership
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