Paragraph 18:14
18:14a–b
And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”: The Berean Standard Bible adds the words “And they will say” and quote marks to the beginning of 18:14a. However, the Greek does not introduce a new speaker here. There are several ways to interpret who said these words:
(1) The voice from heaven (18:4) continues speaking. The New American Standard Bible begins this verse without any added words and does not indicate a change of speaker with a change of quote mark. For example:
The fruit…
(2) John continues speaking. The Contemporary English Version begins this verse without any added words and does not indicate a change of speaker with a change of quote mark. But the Contemporary English Version indicates that the voice from heaven stopped speaking at 18:8. For example:
The fruit…
(3) The merchants spoke the words of 18:14. The Good News Translation adds the words “The merchants say to her,” and therefore says:
The merchants say to her, “All the good things…
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because:
(a) the Greek does not indicate or imply a change of speaker,
(b) it makes little sense to have the merchants speak here (interpretation 3), and then introduce them as speaking in the next verse,
(c) the things said here are more appropriate coming from someone agreeing with God’s judgment than from the merchants mourning the loss of their best customer,
(d) it seems unlikely that John (interpretation 2) would interrupt the heavenly voice with his own prophecy here,
(e) interpretation (1) at the note on 18:9–20 recommends it.
If people in your area will not be clear as to who spoke this verse, you may want to:
• Explain in a footnote. For example:
The voice from heaven continued speaking here.
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
⌊The voice from heaven continued and said,⌋ “The fruit…
If you followed interpretation (2) at the note on 18:9–20, you can:
• Allow the voice to speak this verse. For example:
⌊The voice from heaven said,⌋ “The fruit…
• Allow John to speak this verse by not introducing who spoke or adding quote marks. The Contemporary English Version and NET Bible have John speaking. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:
Babylon, the things…
Allowing the heavenly voice to speak seems more likely, as John mostly observes throughout the vision and does not speak unless spoken to. For this reason, the Notes will follow the New American Standard Bible for 18:14a–b.
18:14a
The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you: The word fruit refers figuratively to good things that pleased or benefited the woman, the city called Babylon. She desired to have them. Other ways to translate this clause are:
The fruit you craved is gone (God’s Word)
-or-
All the good things you longed to own have disappeared (Good News Translation)
-or-
The fancy things you loved so much are gone (New Living Translation (2004))
18:14b
luxury: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as luxury literally means “fatty.” Here it refers figuratively to things that are luxurious and expensive. Other ways to translate this word are:
dainties (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
all things that were luxurious (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
delicacies (English Standard Version)
splendor: The Greek word here refers to something bright or shiny. Here it probably refers to shiny and expensive items like jewels, jewelry, and precious metals. Other ways to translate this word are:
sparkling trinkets/things
-or-
all things that were…splendid (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
all the…glamour (Revised English Bible)
have vanished: These Greek words can be translated as “have perished from you” or “are lost to you.” It indicates that Babylon’s riches and splendor were destroyed. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
are destroyed
-or-
are lost to you (New Revised Standard Version)
never to be seen again: There is a textual issue with the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as never to be seen again :
(1) Some Greek manuscripts have the clause they will never find. It indicates that nobody will find the lost riches and splendor. For example:
never to be found again (Revised Standard Version)
(2) Other Greek manuscripts have the clause you may never find. It indicates that Babylon will not find the lost riches and splendor. For example:
you will never find them again (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT supports it.
The Greek indicates generally that no one will find Babylon’s lost riches and splendor. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
it will never again be seen
-or-
No one will ever find them again (God’s Word)
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