The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you. All things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all.

The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 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! For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away, and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like the great city?’

They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!’ For she is made desolate in one hour.

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”

A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon ◆, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all. The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you.

No craftsman, of whatever craft, will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you.

The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

She gave birth to her firstborn son.

She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.