18:10a
In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance: The Greek words indicate that the kings stood far away because they were afraid of Babylon’s torment. They did not want that torment to also happen to them. Other ways to translate these words are:
standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
while they keep at a safe distance through fear of her anguish (New Jerusalem Bible)
torment: This word refers to much hurt and pain. The Greek word is the same word as “torment” in 18:7b. But the context here refers to feeling hurt and pain rather than causing hurt and pain. Other ways to translate this word are:
anguish (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
suffering (Good News Translation)
cry out: The Greek word is literally “say” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The Berean Standard Bible uses the words cry out with the meaning of “speak with much emotion.”
18:10b
Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon!: There are two ways to interpret how Babylon was addressed:
(1) The speakers addressed Babylon directly. For example:
Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! (English Standard Version)
(2) The speakers spoke about Babylon here. For example:
How terrible! How awful! This great and mighty city Babylon! (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the next sentence was spoken to Babylon.
However, in some languages it is not natural to address a city directly. If that is true in your language, you may want to follow interpretation (2).
In some languages it is more natural to say first whom the speakers are addressing. For example:
to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon, woe, woe!
-or-
the great city, the mighty city of Babylon, woe, woe to it!
Woe, woe: The word Woe is repeated to emphasize its meaning. But in some languages it is more natural not to repeat the word. If that is true in your language, you should emphasize the woe in a natural way. For example:
Great woe ⌊indeed⌋ !
Woe: The Greek word here means “There will be trouble for (someone).” The word indicates sorrow about the troubles. Other ways to translate this word are:
How terrible (Good News Translation)
-or-
Alas (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Such great trouble for
See how you translated this word in 8:13.
18:10c
a single hour: Here the phrase a single hour refers to a short time, not necessarily a literal hour. It implies suddenness. Babylon did not expect God to come and judge her. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
a very short time
-or-
quickly ⌊and suddenly⌋
your judgment has come: This clause indicates that Babylon has been punished as God judged that she should be. In some languages it is more natural to use a different verb than come. For example:
your judgment has occurred/happened
You may have translated “O great city, O Babylon, city of power” following interpretation (2) above. If that is true in your language, you may want to do the same here. For example:
her judgment has come
judgment: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment means that God judged Babylon to be deserving of death, mourning, and famine (18:8b). Other ways to translate this word are:
condemnation
-or-
punishment (New Century Version)
In some languages it is necessary or more natural to use a verb here. For example:
God has judged/condemned you
-or-
you have been punished (Good News Translation)
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