The translator should consider translating the three successive messages of doom (verses 16-17a, 19b-20, 21b-24) in poetic form (see Section F of the introduction, “Translating the Revelation to John,” pages 6 and following).

Alas, alas for the great city: see verse 10.

Clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet: see verse 12.

Bedecked with gold, with jewels, and with pearls: see 17.4.

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 .