But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

They ¹  planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹ 

But Jesus ¹  perceived their deceit ²  and said to them,

I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I? ¹ 

Conduct yourselves ¹  with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.

But he saw through their hypocrisy and said ¹  to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius ²  and let me look at it.”

For I am aware of all his regulations, ¹  and I do not reject his rules. ² 

Then a spirit ¹  stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord asked him, ‘How?’

For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s ¹  steps.

For I am aware of all his regulations, ¹  and I do not reject his rules. ² 

Is ¹  there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Then ¹  they sent some of the Pharisees ²  and Herodians ³  to trap him with his own words. ⁴ 

But some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, ¹  the ruler ²  of demons, he casts out demons.”

For the appeal we make ¹  does not come ²  from error or impurity or with deceit,

My father may touch me! Then he’ll think I’m mocking him ¹  and I’ll bring a curse on myself instead of a blessing.”

Why did you run away secretly ¹  and deceive me? ²  Why didn’t you tell me so I could send you off with a celebration complete with singing, tambourines, and harps? ³ 

Then a spirit ¹  stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord asked him, ‘How?’

“That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit.

The king replied, “I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm.