Sorceries: this can be called “black magic,” “evil spells,” “witchcraft.” The word refers to mysterious words and actions that are presumed to involve evil spiritual forces, and which are usually practiced to harm or kill others, or to cause curses to come on others (see 18.23; 21.8; 22.15; Gal 5.20).

The sins of murder, witchcraft, and sexual immorality were commonly associated with the practice of idolatry. For immorality (Good News Translation “sexual immorality”) see 2.14.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• These people did not repent of their murdering each other, or practicing black magic, or having sexual relations with someone else’s spouse, or stealing.

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 .