Revised Standard Version follows the form of the Greek text and continues the sentence to the end of verse 2. It is better in most instances to put a full stop at the end of verse 1 and begin a new sentence at verse 2, as Good News Translation has done.

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication: in English fornication (as contrasted with adultery) implies that the woman is unmarried. Something like “sexual immorality,” “immoral sexual intercourse,” or even “filthy sexual practices” will be more suitable for this context. For the verb see “practice immorality,” 2.14. This is a figure of idolatry, as elsewhere in the book. An alternative translation model for this sentence is “The kings (or, high chiefs) of the world committed evil (or, filthy) sexual practices with her.”

With the wine of whose fornication: here the sexual immorality of the infamous prostitute is called wine, and the effect of her immorality (idolatry) on her partners is called drunkenness. In some languages it may be advisable not to follow literally the Greek text. A translator may follow the point of view of one commentator, that the wine was the prostitute’s way of seducing her partners: “the people of the world got drunk on the wine she gave them and had sexual intercourse with her.” For the noun translated fornication see “immorality” and comments at 2.21; 14.8.

The dwellers on earth: see 3.10.

Have become drunk: the term occurs also in 17.6. Most languages have a number of words to describe drunkenness, but few will match the English language. One word collector (Paul Dickson) turned up 2,231 words and phrases for “drunk.” However, the metaphor here refers to drunkenness from drinking wine. So translators should pick a word or phrase that means that type of drunkenness.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .