First ReadingRevelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a*
From the Book of Revelation
1After these things,I saw another angel coming down out of the sky,having great authority.The earth was illuminated with his glory.2He cried with a mighty voice,saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,and she has become a habitation of demons,a prison of every unclean spirit,and a prison of every unclean and hated bird!
verses 3–20 are not read21A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstoneand cast it into the sea,saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon,the great city, be thrown down,and will be found no more at all.22The voice of harpists,minstrels, flute players,and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you.No craftsman of whatever craft will be found any more at all in you.The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you.23The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you.The voice of the bridegroomand of the bride will be heard no more at all in you,for your merchants were the princes of the earth;for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
some verses are not read1After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven,saying, “Hallelujah!Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God;2for his judgments are true and righteous.For he has judged the great prostitutewho corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality,and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”
3A second said, “Hallelujah!Her smoke goes up forever and ever.”
verses 4–8 are not read9He said to me, “Write,‘Blessed are thosewho are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’”He said to me, “These are true words of God.”