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.^[a](A) The one whom the judges declare^[b] guilty must pay back double to the other.

²⁸ “Do not blaspheme God^[a](A) or curse^(B) the ruler of your people.^(C)