⁸ But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,^(A) and they must^[a] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. ⁹ In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.^[b](B) The one whom the judges declare^[c] guilty must pay back double to the other.

⁹ Go to the Levitical^(A) priests and to the judge^(B) who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.^(C)

¹⁷ the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges^(A) who are in office at the time.

25 When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges^(A) will decide the case,^(B) acquitting^(C) the innocent and condemning the guilty.^(D)