14 Babylon, the thingsyour heart desiredhave all escapedfrom you.Every luxuryand all your glorywill be lost forever.You will neverget them back.
15 The merchants had become rich because of her. But when they saw her sufferings, they were terrified. They stood at a distance, crying and mourning.
16 Then they shouted,“Pity the great cityof Babylon!She dressed in fine linenand wore purpleand scarlet cloth.She had jewelrymade of goldand precious stonesand pearls.
17 Yet in a single hourher riches disappeared.”Every ship captain and passenger and sailor stood at a distance, together with everyone who does business by traveling on the sea.
18 When they saw the smoke from her fire, they shouted, “This was the greatest city ever!”
19 They cried loudly, and in their sorrow they threw dust on their heads, as they said,“Pity the great cityof Babylon!Everyone who sailed the seasbecame richfrom her treasures.But in a single hourthe city was destroyed.
20 The heavens should be happywith God's peopleand apostles and prophets.God has punished herfor them.”