Book of Common Prayer
Those who love the world are sorry about the fall of Babylon, but those who are of God have cause to rejoice over her destruction.
18 And after that, I saw another angel come from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his brightness. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Great Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of all foul spirits, and a cage of all unclean and hateful birds. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and her merchants were made rich from the abundance of her pleasures.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven say, Come away from her, my people, that you be not partakers in her sins, that you receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have gone up to heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and give her double according to her works. And pour in double for her, in the same cup that she filled for you. 7 And as much as she glorified herself and lived wantonly, so much pour in for her of punishment and sorrow. For she said in herself, I sit being a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore her plagues shall come at one day: death, and sorrow, and hunger; and she will be burnt with fire. For strong is the Lord God who judges her.
21 You have heard how it was said to the people of the old time, You shall not kill. For whosoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whosoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. Whosoever says to his brother, Racha! will be liable to a council. But whosoever says, You fool! will be liable to hell fire.
23 Therefore, when you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way first and be reconciled to your brother; and then come and offer your gift.
25 Reconcile with your adversary quickly while you are in the way with him, lest the adversary commit you to the judge, and the judge commit you to the officer, and then you be cast into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.