Revelation 17:9–18:8

9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom.q The seven headsr 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,s is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12 “The ten hornst you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one houru will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.v 14 They will wage warw against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph overx them because he is Lord of lords and King of kingsy—and with him will be his called, chosenz and faithful followers.”

15 Then the angel said to me, “The watersa you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.b 16 The beast and the ten hornsc you saw will hate the prostitute.d They will bring her to ruine and leave her naked;f they will eat her fleshg and burn her with fire.h 17 For God has put it into their heartsi to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,j until God’s words are fulfilled.k 18 The woman you saw is the great cityl that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angelm coming down from heaven.n He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.o 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:

“ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’a p

She has become a dwelling for demons

and a haunt for every impure spirit,q

a haunt for every unclean bird,

a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.r

3 For all the nations have drunk

the maddening wine of her adulteries.s

The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,t

and the merchants of the earth grew richu from her excessive luxuries.”v

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“ ‘Come out of her, my people,’b w

so that you will not share in her sins,

so that you will not receive any of her plagues;x

5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,y

and God has rememberedz her crimes.

6 Give back to her as she has given;

pay her backa doubleb for what she has done.

Pour her a double portion from her own cup.c

7 Give her as much torment and grief

as the glory and luxury she gave herself.d

In her heart she boasts,

‘I sit enthroned as queen.

I am not a widow;c

I will never mourn.’e

8 Therefore in one dayf her plagues will overtake her:

death, mourning and famine.

She will be consumed by fire,g

for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.