Paragraph 18:21–24

18:21a–b

mighty: This word refers not only to physical strength but probably also to great authority and influence.

a stone the size of a great millstone: A stone is a rock. A millstone is a very large, circle-shaped stone used to grind grain into flour. A great millstone likely weighed hundreds of kilograms (double that for the number of pounds).

In some languages people are not familiar with using millstones for grinding grain. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain what a millstone is in your translation. For example:

a large stone, like one used for grinding grain (New Century Version)
-or-
one of a set of a very large circular stones used for grinding much grain at once

• Use a general word for a stone of this size. For example:

a huge stone (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a heavy boulder

You may then want to explain the Greek phrase in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “a stone the size of a large millstone.” A large millstone likely weighs over 50 kilograms. It is circular with a hole in the middle. It is used to grind grain into flour.

18:21c–24b

The angel first spoke about the city of Babylon using grammar equivalent to using the pronoun “she” (18:21c–d). He then spoke directly to Babylon using the pronoun “you” (18:22a–23d).

In some languages it is more natural to refer to someone or something with the same pronoun. If that is true in your language, consider which pronoun would be most natural in these verses.

18:21c

With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down: The phrase With such violence is emphasized because it is first in the clause. If possible, emphasize this phrase.

With such violence: This phrase refers to how powerfully the angel threw the stone into the sea. For example:

This is how the great city Babylon will be violently thrown down (Good News Translation)

the great city of Babylon will be cast down: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. The beast (and the ten kings) (17:16) will destroy the city. For example:

⌊the beast⌋ will cast down the great city of Babylon
-or-
the great city Babylon will meet its ruin/end
-or-
the great city Babylon will become a ruin

If you translate following the last two examples, your translation should imply that someone destroyed the city.

cast down: Here the phrase cast down refers figuratively to the beast destroying the city. It is used here to be compared to how the angel threw the stone.

In some languages the phrase cast down cannot be used that way. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate the figurative meaning. For example:

destroyed

18:21d

never to be seen again: The boulder disappeared forever under the surface of the sea. So also Babylon will never exist again. For example:

and will never be seen again (Good News Translation)

to be seen: This clause is passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

to be found (New International Version)

• Use an active clause. For example:

for ⌊anyone⌋ to find/see

• Use an intransitive clause. For example:

Babylon will disappear

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