They will stand far off, or “they will stand a very long distance from the city.”

In fear of her torment: that is, these kings will be afraid that they will be punished with Babylon, and so they will stand a long way off. For torment see 9.5, “torture.” This clause may also be rendered as “Because they are afraid that they will receive the extreme pain that she is suffering.”

Alas! alas!: this is an expression of dismay and grief. The same Greek word in 8.13 is translated “Woe.” New Jerusalem Bible here and in verses 16 and 19 translates “Mourn, mourn for this great city,” an effective way of representing the meaning and feeling of the cry. Good News Translation‘s model is also an effective one in modern English.

Thou great city: Revised Standard Version uses the archaic pronouns thou and thy, ordinarily reserved by Revised Standard Version for addressing God. It is not necessary to use the second person singular form of address, as Revised Standard Version does; the third person can be used, as Good News Translation does. New Revised Standard Version has “Alas, alas, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city!”

In one hour: that is, in a short time, quickly, suddenly. See 17.12 for more information on the translation of this phrase.

Has thy judgment come: “you have been condemned (or, punished).” For the noun see 14.7; 16.7. One may also say “In such a short time God has punished you.”

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 .