5 So now the Lord will punish youboth quickly and harshlybecause you are in power.
6 God forgives ordinary people,but severely punishesthe high and the mighty.
7 The Lord created everyone—the powerful and the weak.God has no favorites;he isn't afraid of anyone,
8 and he requires rulersto answer for what they do.
9 I am speaking to you rulers,so that you will have wisdomand not sin against God.
10 If you want to belongto the Lord's holy peopleand to defend yourselfon the day of judgment,
11 then eagerly desire to learnall that I am teaching.