'Severity' in the Bible

Like a hired servant, he is to remain with him year after year, but he is not to rule over him with what you see as severity.

Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: his severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness toward you if you continue receiving his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.

Frightened by the severity of her punishment, businesses that had become rich because of her will stand at a distance, crying and mourning: