The Lament Over Babylon

The kings of the earth who committed adultery with Babylon and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning. They stand far off and cry: 'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!'

The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over Babylon because no one buys their cargoes anymore. No one buys gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet cloth, every sort of citron wood, and articles of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble.

Cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, grain, cattle, sheep, horses, carriages, and human bodies and souls. The merchants say 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.'

The merchants who sold these things become rich because of Babylon. They stand far off, terrified at her torment, weeping and mourning. Babylon's fall affects an entire economic system. The comfort it provided is gone.