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

This is my defense to those who examine me.

When he went out from there, the experts in the law ¹  and the Pharisees began to oppose him bitterly, ²  and to ask him hostile questions ³  about many things,

Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! ¹ 

Examine me, and probe my thoughts! ¹  Test me, and know my concerns! ² 

When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and experts in the law ¹  arguing with them.

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

If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.

So I said to the Lord, ¹  “O Lord who rules over all, ²  you are a just judge! You examine people’s hearts and minds. ³  I want to see you pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause.” ⁴ 

When Herod ¹  had searched ²  for him and did not find him, he questioned ³  the guards and commanded that they be led away to execution. ⁴  Then ⁵  Herod ⁶  went down from Judea to Caesarea ⁷  and stayed there.