Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen,^(A) you rich people,^(B) weep and wail^(C) because of the misery that is coming on you.

¹¹ “The merchants^(A) of the earth will weep and mourn^(B) over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore^(C)— 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;^{(D) 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 human beings sold as slaves.^(E)

¹⁴ “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her^(F) will stand far off,^(G) terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn^{(H) 16} and cry out:

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea,^(M) will stand far off.^{(N) 18} When they see the smoke of her burning,^(O) they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city^(P)?’^(Q)

¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house^(A) into a market!”

A Call to Lamentation