So the exiles proceeded accordingly. Ezra the priest separated out ¹  by name men who were leaders in their family groups. ²  They sat down to consider this matter on the first day of the tenth month,

For the music director, a psalm of David. O Lord, you examine me ²  and know.

But if we examined ourselves, we would not be judged.

the priest is to come and examine it, and if ¹  the infection has spread in the house, it is a malignant disease in the house. It is unclean.

The owner ¹  must not examine the animals to distinguish between good and bad, and he must not exchange it. If, however, he does exchange it, ²  both the original animal ³  and its substitute will be holy. ⁴  It must not be redeemed.’”

The Lord is in his holy temple; ¹  the Lord’s throne is in heaven. ²  His eyes ³  watch; ⁴  his eyes ⁵  examine ⁶  all people. ⁷ 

You have scrutinized my inner motives; ¹  you have examined me during the night. ²  You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful. ³ 

O Lord who rules over all, ¹  you test and prove the righteous. You see into people’s hearts and minds. ²  Pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put ¹  your finger here, and examine ²  my hands. Extend ³  your hand and put it ⁴  into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” ⁵ 

Would it turn out well if he would examine ¹  you? Or as one deceives ²  a man would you deceive him?

But he knows the pathway that I take; ¹  if he tested me, I would come forth like gold. ² 

For he does not still consider a person, ¹  that he should come before God in judgment.

The first to state his case ¹  seems ²  right, until his opponent ³  begins to ⁴  cross-examine him. ⁵ 

The priest must return on the seventh day and examine it, and if ¹  the infection has spread in the walls of the house,

You must investigate thoroughly and inquire carefully. If it is indeed true that such a disgraceful thing is being done among you, ¹ 

May the evil deeds of the wicked ¹  come to an end! ²  But make the innocent ³  secure, ⁴  O righteous God, you who examine ⁵  inner thoughts and motives! ⁶ 

The Lord said to me, ¹  “I have made you like a metal assayer to test my people like ore. ²  You are to observe them and evaluate how they behave.” ³ 

So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. ¹