The Bowls of Wrath

16 Then I heard a loud voice from (A)the [a]temple, saying to the (B)seven angels, “Go and (C)pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl (D)on the earth; and a harmful and painful (E)sore [b]afflicted the people (F)who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

The second angel poured out his bowl (G)into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living [c]thing in the sea died.

Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the (H)rivers and the springs of waters; and they (I)became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “(J)Righteous are You, (K)the One who is and who was, O (L)Holy One, because You (M)judged these things; for they poured out (N)the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them (O)blood to drink. They [d]deserve it.” And I heard (P)the altar saying, “Yes, (Q)Lord God, the Almighty, (R)true and righteous are Your judgments.”

And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon (S)the sun, (T)and it was given power to scorch people with fire. And the people were scorched with [e]fierce heat; and they (U)blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they (V)did not repent so as to (W)give Him glory.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the (X)throne of the beast, and his kingdom became (Y)darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 11 and they (Z)blasphemed the (AA)God of heaven because of their pain and their (AB)sores; and they (AC)did not repent of their deeds.

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the (AD)great river, the Euphrates; and (AE)its water was dried up, so that (AF)the way would be prepared for the kings (AG)from the [f]east.

Har-Magedon (Armageddon)

13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the (AH)dragon, and out of the mouth of the (AI)beast, and out of the mouth of the (AJ)false prophet, three (AK)unclean spirits like (AL)frogs; 14 for they are (AM)spirits of demons, (AN)performing signs, which go out to the kings of the (AO)entire [g]world, to (AP)gather them together for the war of the (AQ)great day of God, the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, (AR)I am coming like a thief. (AS)Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, (AT)so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.”) 16 And they (AU)gathered them together to the place which (AV)in Hebrew is called (AW)Har-Magedon.

The Seventh Bowl of Wrath

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon (AX)the air, and a (AY)loud voice came out of the [h](AZ)temple from the throne, saying, “(BA)It is done.” 18 And there were flashes of (BB)lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was (BC)a great earthquake, (BD)such as there had not been since mankind came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 19 (BE)The great city [i]was split into three parts, and the cities of the [j]nations fell. (BF)Babylon the great was (BG)remembered in the sight of God, to give her (BH)the cup of the wine of [k]His fierce wrath. 20 And (BI)every island fled, and no mountains were found. 21 And (BJ)huge [l]hailstones, weighing about [m]a talent each, *came down from heaven upon people; and people (BK)blasphemed God because of the (BL)plague of the hail, because [n]the hailstone plague *was extremely [o]severe.

The Doom of Babylon

17 (BM)Then one of the (BN)seven angels who had the (BO)seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you (BP)the judgment of the (BQ)great prostitute who (BR)sits on many waters, with whom (BS)the kings of the earth committed acts of sexual immorality, and (BT)those who live on the earth (BU)became drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.” And (BV)he carried me away [p](BW)in the Spirit (BX)into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a (BY)scarlet beast, full of (BZ)blasphemous names, having (CA)seven heads and ten horns. The woman (CB)was clothed in purple and scarlet, and [q]adorned with gold, precious [r]stones, and pearls, holding in her hand (CC)a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her sexual immorality, and on her forehead a name was written, [s]a (CD)mystery: “(CE)BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF (CF)THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” And I saw the woman drunk with (CG)the blood of the [t]saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered [u]greatly. And the angel said to me, “Why [v]do you wonder? I will tell you the (CH)mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the (CI)seven heads and the ten horns.

(CJ)The beast that you saw (CK)was, and is not, and is about to (CL)come up out of the (CM)abyss and [w](CN)go to destruction. And (CO)those who live on the earth, (CP)whose names have not been written in the book of life (CQ)from the foundation of the world, will (CR)wonder when they see the beast, that he was, and is not, and will [x]come. (CS)Here is the mind which has wisdom. The (CT)seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman sits, 10 and they are seven (CU)kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. 11 The beast which (CV)was, and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he (CW)goes to destruction. 12 The (CX)ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast (CY)for one hour. 13 These have (CZ)one [y]purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

Victory for the Lamb

14 These will wage (DA)war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will (DB)overcome them because He is (DC)Lord of lords and (DD)King of kings; and (DE)those who are with Him are the (DF)called and chosen and faithful.”

15 And he *said to me, “The (DG)waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are (DH)peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages. 16 And the (DI)ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her (DJ)desolate and (DK)naked, and will (DL)eat her flesh and will (DM)burn her up with fire. 17 For (DN)God has put it in their hearts to execute His [z]purpose [aa]by (DO)having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the (DP)words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is (DQ)the great city, which [ab]reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Babylon Is Fallen

18 After these things I saw another (DR)angel (DS)coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was (DT)illuminated from his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “[ac](DU)Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She (DV)has become a dwelling place of demons and a [ad]prison of every (DW)unclean spirit, and a [ae]prison of every unclean and hateful bird. For all the nations have fallen because of the (DX)wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and (DY)the kings of the earth have committed acts of sexual immorality with her, and the (DZ)merchants of the earth have become rich from the [af]excessive wealth of her [ag](EA)luxury.”

I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “(EB)Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues; for her sins have [ah](EC)piled up as high as heaven, and God has (ED)remembered her offenses. (EE)Pay her back even as she has paid, and [ai]give back to her double according to her deeds; in the (EF)cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. (EG)To the extent that she glorified herself and (EH)lived luxuriously, to the same extent give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘(EI)I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason (EJ)in one day her plagues will come, [aj]plague and mourning and famine, and she will be (EK)burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her (EL)is strong.

Grief over Babylon

“And (EM)the kings of the earth, who committed acts of sexual immorality and (EN)lived luxuriously with her, will (EO)weep and mourn over her when they (EP)see the smoke of her burning, 10 (EQ)standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘(ER)Woe, woe, (ES)the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in (ET)one hour your judgment has come.’

11 “And the (EU)merchants of the earth (EV)weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo any more— 12 cargo of (EW)gold, silver, precious [ak]stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; every kind of citron wood, every article of ivory, and every article made from very valuable wood, [al]bronze, iron, and marble; 13 cinnamon, [am]spice, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, and cargo of horses, carriages, [an]slaves, and (EX)human lives. 14 The fruit [ao]you long for has left you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and people will no longer find them. 15 The (EY)merchants of (EZ)these things, who became rich from her, will (FA)stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 16 saying, ‘(FB)Woe, woe, (FC)the great city, she who (FD)was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and [ap]adorned with gold, precious [aq]stones, and pearls; 17 for in (FE)one hour such great wealth has been laid (FF)waste!’ And (FG)every shipmaster and every [ar]passenger and sailor, and all who [as]make their living by the sea, (FH)stood at a distance, 18 and were (FI)crying out as they (FJ)saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘(FK)What city is like (FL)the great city?’ 19 And they threw (FM)dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘(FN)Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea (FO)became rich from her prosperity, for in (FP)one hour she has been laid (FQ)waste!’ 20 (FR)Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you [at]saints and (FS)apostles and prophets, because (FT)God has [au]pronounced judgment for you against her.”

21 Then [av]a (FU)strong angel (FV)picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, (FW)the great city, be thrown down with violence, and (FX)will never be found again. 22 And (FY)the sound of harpists, musicians, flute players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; and no craftsman of any craft will ever be found in you again; and the (FZ)sound of a mill will never be heard in you again; 23 and the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the (GA)voice of the groom and bride will never be heard in you again; for your (GB)merchants were the powerful people of the earth, because all the nations were deceived (GC)by your witchcraft. 24 And in her was found the (GD)blood of prophets and of [aw]saints, and of (GE)all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 16:1 Or sanctuary
  2. Revelation 16:2 Lit came upon
  3. Revelation 16:3 Lit soul
  4. Revelation 16:6 Lit are worthy
  5. Revelation 16:9 Lit great
  6. Revelation 16:12 Lit rising of the sun
  7. Revelation 16:14 Lit inhabited earth
  8. Revelation 16:17 Or sanctuary
  9. Revelation 16:19 Lit became three
  10. Revelation 16:19 Or Gentiles
  11. Revelation 16:19 Lit wrath of His anger
  12. Revelation 16:21 Lit hail
  13. Revelation 16:21 I.e., as a measure of weight about 100 lb. or 45 kg
  14. Revelation 16:21 Lit its plague
  15. Revelation 16:21 Lit great
  16. Revelation 17:3 Or in spirit
  17. Revelation 17:4 Lit gilded
  18. Revelation 17:4 Lit stone
  19. Revelation 17:5 Or “MYSTERY...”
  20. Revelation 17:6 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  21. Revelation 17:6 Lit with great wonder
  22. Revelation 17:7 Lit have you wondered
  23. Revelation 17:8 One early ms is going
  24. Revelation 17:8 Lit be present
  25. Revelation 17:13 Or mind
  26. Revelation 17:17 Or mind
  27. Revelation 17:17 Lit even to do one mind and to give
  28. Revelation 17:18 Lit has a kingdom
  29. Revelation 18:2 Lit Babylon...fell, fell
  30. Revelation 18:2 Or haunt
  31. Revelation 18:2 Or haunt
  32. Revelation 18:3 Lit power
  33. Revelation 18:3 Or sensuality
  34. Revelation 18:5 Lit joined together
  35. Revelation 18:6 Lit double to her
  36. Revelation 18:8 Lit death; i.e., a particular kind of death
  37. Revelation 18:12 Lit stone
  38. Revelation 18:12 Or brass
  39. Revelation 18:13 Gr amomon, an Indian spice plant
  40. Revelation 18:13 Lit bodies
  41. Revelation 18:14 Lit of your soul’s desire
  42. Revelation 18:16 Lit gilded
  43. Revelation 18:16 Lit stone and pearl
  44. Revelation 18:17 Lit one who sails to a place
  45. Revelation 18:17 Lit work the sea
  46. Revelation 18:20 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  47. Revelation 18:20 Lit judged your judgment of her
  48. Revelation 18:21 Lit one
  49. Revelation 18:24 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple(A) saying to the seven angels,(B) “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”(C)

The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land,(D) and ugly, festering sores(E) broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.(F)

The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.(G)

The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water,(H) and they became blood.(I) Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

“You are just in these judgments,(J) O Holy One,(K)
    you who are and who were;(L)
for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,(M)
    and you have given them blood to drink(N) as they deserve.”

And I heard the altar(O) respond:

“Yes, Lord God Almighty,(P)
    true and just are your judgments.”(Q)

The fourth angel(R) poured out his bowl on the sun,(S) and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.(T) They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God,(U) who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent(V) and glorify him.(W)

10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,(X) and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.(Y) People gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed(Z) the God of heaven(AA) because of their pains and their sores,(AB) but they refused to repent of what they had done.(AC)

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,(AD) and its water was dried up to prepare the way(AE) for the kings from the East.(AF) 13 Then I saw three impure spirits(AG) that looked like frogs;(AH) they came out of the mouth of the dragon,(AI) out of the mouth of the beast(AJ) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.(AK) 14 They are demonic spirits(AL) that perform signs,(AM) and they go out to the kings of the whole world,(AN) to gather them for the battle(AO) on the great day(AP) of God Almighty.

15 “Look, I come like a thief!(AQ) Blessed is the one who stays awake(AR) and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”(AS)

16 Then they gathered the kings together(AT) to the place that in Hebrew(AU) is called Armageddon.(AV)

17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,(AW) and out of the temple(AX) came a loud voice(AY) from the throne, saying, “It is done!”(AZ) 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder(BA) and a severe earthquake.(BB) No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth,(BC) so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city(BD) split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered(BE) Babylon the Great(BF) and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.(BG) 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.(BH) 21 From the sky huge hailstones,(BI) each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God(BJ) on account of the plague of hail,(BK) because the plague was so terrible.

Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

17 One of the seven angels(BL) who had the seven bowls(BM) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment(BN) of the great prostitute,(BO) who sits by many waters.(BP) With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”(BQ)

Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit(BR) into a wilderness.(BS) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet(BT) beast that was covered with blasphemous names(BU) and had seven heads and ten horns.(BV) The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.(BW) She held a golden cup(BX) in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.(BY) The name written on her forehead was a mystery:(BZ)

babylon the great(CA)

the mother of prostitutes(CB)

and of the abominations of the earth.

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people,(CC) the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery(CD) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.(CE) The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss(CF) and go to its destruction.(CG) The inhabitants of the earth(CH) whose names have not been written in the book of life(CI) from the creation of the world will be astonished(CJ) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

“This calls for a mind with wisdom.(CK) The seven heads(CL) 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,(CM) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12 “The ten horns(CN) you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour(CO) will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.(CP) 14 They will wage war(CQ) against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over(CR) them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings(CS)—and with him will be his called, chosen(CT) and faithful followers.”

15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters(CU) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.(CV) 16 The beast and the ten horns(CW) you saw will hate the prostitute.(CX) They will bring her to ruin(CY) and leave her naked;(CZ) they will eat her flesh(DA) and burn her with fire.(DB) 17 For God has put it into their hearts(DC) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,(DD) until God’s words are fulfilled.(DE) 18 The woman you saw is the great city(DF) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel(DG) coming down from heaven.(DH) He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.(DI) With a mighty voice he shouted:

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’[b](DJ)
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,(DK)
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.(DL)
For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.(DM)
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,(DN)
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich(DO) from her excessive luxuries.”(DP)

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’[c](DQ)
    so that you will not share in her sins,
    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;(DR)
for her sins are piled up to heaven,(DS)
    and God has remembered(DT) her crimes.
Give back to her as she has given;
    pay her back(DU) double(DV) for what she has done.
    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.(DW)
Give her as much torment and grief
    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.(DX)
In her heart she boasts,
    ‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[d]
    I will never mourn.’(DY)
Therefore in one day(DZ) her plagues will overtake her:
    death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,(EA)
    for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her(EB) and shared her luxury(EC) see the smoke of her burning,(ED) they will weep and mourn over her.(EE) 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off(EF) and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,(EG)
    you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour(EH) your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants(EI) of the earth will weep and mourn(EJ) over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore(EK) 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;(EL) 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.(EM)

14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her(EN) will stand far off,(EO) terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn(EP) 16 and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,(EQ)
    dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
    and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!(ER)
17 In one hour(ES) such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’(ET)

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea,(EU) will stand far off.(EV) 18 When they see the smoke of her burning,(EW) they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city(EX)?’(EY) 19 They will throw dust on their heads,(EZ) and with weeping and mourning(FA) cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,(FB)
    where all who had ships on the sea
    became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’(FC)

20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens!(FD)
    Rejoice, you people of God!
    Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
    with the judgment she imposed on you.”(FE)

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

21 Then a mighty angel(FF) picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea,(FG) and said:

“With such violence
    the great city(FH) of Babylon will be thrown down,
    never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
    will never be heard in you again.(FI)
No worker of any trade
    will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
    will never be heard in you again.(FJ)
23 The light of a lamp
    will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride
    will never be heard in you again.(FK)
Your merchants were the world’s important people.(FL)
    By your magic spell(FM) all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,(FN)
    of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”(FO)

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 16:21 Or about 45 kilograms
  2. Revelation 18:2 Isaiah 21:9
  3. Revelation 18:4 Jer. 51:45
  4. Revelation 18:7 See Isaiah 47:7,8.