Revelation 18:23

The Doom of Babylon · Revelation 18:21–24
Read Revelation 18

Translations

Modern
The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”
Traditional
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Literal
And the light of a lamp shall never shine in you any longer, and the voice of a bridegroom and a bride shall never be heard in you any longer. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because in your sorcery all the nations were deceived.”
Latin
…et lux lucernæ non lucebit in te amplius: et vox sponsi et sponsæ non audietur adhuc in te: quia mercatores tui erant principes terræ, quia in veneficiis tuis erraverunt omnes gentes.

Original

Greek
English
The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”

Notes

The songs about Babylon's fall (Revelation 18:1–24) end with a description of the city's destruction.

This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Messages Against the Nations Visions

Glossary

Babylon as a Symbol Book of Revelation Lucifer

Topics

Martyrdom of Saints, Shall be Avenged Merchant: General Scriptures Concerning