Deuteronomy 17:4

The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

“I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.

You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.”

then you shall inquire, investigate, and ask diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done among you,

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother,

The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that has happened among you?

I was a father to the needy. I researched the cause of him who I didn’t know.

“Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?”

When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled.

If the bright spot is white in the skin of his body, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and its hair hasn’t turned white, then the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days.

“ ‘Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies.

He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

The children of Israel sent to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest.

Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”

Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.

that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.

I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.

Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”

Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.

The children of the captivity did so. Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers’ households, after their fathers’ houses, and all of them by their names, were set apart; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

I call to my servant, and he gives me no answer. I beg him with my mouth.

“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.

He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

“Thus has Yahweh of Armies spoken, saying, ‘Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother.

“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.

“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.”

When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”

Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”

“Let them therefore”, he said, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”

I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”

Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.

My defense to those who examine me is this:

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.

At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.