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Revelation 18:16

14 And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”

15 The merchants who sold these things and grew their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn,

saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!

17 For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance

18 and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
KJV
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
WEB
saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls!
ASV
saying, Woe, woe, the great city, she that was arrayed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearl!
DARBY
saying, Woe, woe, the great city, which [was] clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and had ornaments of gold and precious stones and pearls!
BLB
saying: “Woe, woe, the great city, having been clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and having been adorned in gold and precious stone and pearl!
ÅB
Ve, ve den store by, som var kledd i fint lin og purpur og skarlagen og lyste av gull og edelsteiner og perler, at så stor en rikdom er ødelagt i én time!
OTB
og si:
'Ve, ve, den store byen,
kledd i fint lin, purpur og skarlagen,
og prydet med gull, edelstener og perler;
B1930
Ve, ve den store by, som var klædd i fint lin og purpur og skarlagen og lyste av gull og edelstener og perler, at så stor en rikdom er ødelagt i én time!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Revelation 17:4

    The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 18:10–11

    In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

    Read in context

  • Luke 16:19–31

    Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 18:19

    Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”

    Read in context