Father Mike Schmitz

And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her since no one buys their cargo anymore.

Cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots and slaves, that is human souls.

the fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendor are lost to you, never to be found again.

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud.

Alas, alas for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels and with pearls.

in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste.

And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, what city was like the great city?

And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, alas, alas for the great city, where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth.

In one hour she has been laid waste.

Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her.

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence and shall be found no more, and the sound of harpists and minstrels, of flute players and trumpeters shall be heard in you no more.

And the craftsmen of any craft shall be found in you no more.

And the sound of the millstone shall be heard in you no more.

And the light of a lamp shall shine in you no more.

And the voice of the bridegroom and bride shall be heard in you no more.

For your merchants were the great men of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.

And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.

Chapter 19, The Rejoicing in Heaven After this, I heard what seemed to be the mighty voice of a great multitude in heaven crying, "'Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just.

He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants.'