The Kings and Merchants Lament

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The kings of the earth who went whoring with her and shared her luxury will sob and wail over her when they see the smoke as she burns.

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Standing at a distance, for fear of her torment, they will say, “Oh no! The great city! Bavel, the mighty city! In a single hour your judgment has come!”

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The world’s businessmen weep and mourn over her, because no one is buying their merchandise any more —

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stocks of gold and silver, gems and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, all rare woods, all ivory goods, all kinds of things made of scented wood, brass, iron and marble;

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cinnamon, cardamom, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, flour, grain, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots — and bodies — and people’s souls.

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The fruits you lusted for with all your heart have gone! All the luxury and flashiness have been destroyed, never to return!

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The sellers of these things, who got rich from her, will stand at a distance, for fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,

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and saying, “Oh no! The great city used to wear fine linen, purple and scarlet! She glittered with gold, precious stones and pearls!

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Such great wealth — in a single hour, ruined!” All the ship masters, passengers, sailors and everyone making his living from the sea stood at a distance

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and cried out when they saw the smoke as she burned, “What city was like the great city?”

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And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, saying, “Oh no! The great city! The abundance of her wealth made all the ship owners rich! In a single hour she is ruined!”

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