1 So then listen, you rulers, and understand. Learn, you who judge the far reaches of the earth.
2 Pay attention, you who have power over multitudes, you who take pride in having power over throngs of nations.
3 The Lord gave you authority to rule. The Most High gave you your power. He will watch carefully what you do and examine everything that you are planning.
4 You are merely stewards of his kingdom. If you don’t judge rightly, if you don’t keep the Law, or if you don’t act according to God’s plan,
5 then he’ll fall upon you very suddenly and very terribly. Judgment falls hard on those in high places.