Noah the Righteous Requited on Earth and Bitten by the Lion

(Proverbs 11:31:) “Behold, a righteous one shall be requited on earth.” “Behold, a righteous one”, this is Noah, as it is stated (in Genesis 6:9), “Noah was a righteous man.” Because he was diligent [in making] the ark, he was immediately requited, as it is stated (in Proverbs 11:31), “Behold, a righteous one shall be requited on earth.” Rabbi Huna said: When he came out of the ark, he groaned from his heart, as it is stated (in Genesis 7:23), “And Noah only was left.” It is not written here “And Noah was left,” but rather “And Noah only was left”, this is a term of diminishment. Rabbi Yohanan said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer son of Rabbi Yose the Galilean: Noah did not go out of the ark until the lion had injured him. The Holy Spirit said: Are the righteous requited and the wicked not requited? (Proverbs 11:31:) “Behold, a righteous one shall be requited on earth.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said: The righteous one, His anger toward him is but for a moment, and immediately He is reconciled; but the generation of the flood, not one of them was left over. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: What caused Noah to escape? The righteousness that was in his hand, (Genesis 6:9:) “Noah was a righteous man.”