G3588–ὁ–ho

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the gates of the city in order to apprehend me,

ὁ ho “the”τοῦ tou “the”τὴν tēn “the”

but through an opening in the wall I was let down in a basket, and so escaped his hands.

τοῦ tou “the”τὰς tas “the”

I know a Christian man who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know; God knows--was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) even to the highest Heaven.

τοῦ tou “the”ὁ ho “<the>”τὸν ton “<the>”

And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know;

τὸν ton “<the>”τοῦ tou “the”ὁ ho “<the>”

God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat.

τὸν ton “<the>”

Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

τοῦ tou “<the>”ταῖς tais “the”

And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations--therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me, like the agony of impalement, Satan's angel dealing blow after blow, lest I should be over-elated.

τῇ tēa “the”τῶν tōn “of the”τῇ tēa “<the>”

As for this, three times have I besought the Lord to rid me of him;

τὸν ton “the”

but His reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than complain of them--in order that Christ's power may overshadow me.

ἡ hē “the”ἡ hē “the”ταῖς tais “the”ἡ hē “the”τοῦ tou “<the>”

It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles, even though in myself I am nothing.

τῶν tōn “to those”

The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens and marvels and displays of power.

τὰ ta “The”τοῦ tou “of the”

In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!

τὰς tas “the”τὴν tēn “<the>”

See, I am now for the third time prepared to visit you, but I will not be a dead weight to you. I desire not your money, but yourselves; for children ought not to put by for their parents, but parents for their children.

τὰ ta “what [is]”τὰ ta “the”τοῖς tois “for the”οἱ hoi “the”τοῖς tois “for the”

And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly spent for your salvation.

τῶν tōn “the”

I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother with him. Did Titus gain any selfish advantage over you? Were not he and I guided by one and the same Spirit, and did we not walk in the same steps?

τὸν ton “the”τῷ tō “in the”τοῖς tois “in the”

You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

τοῦ tou “<the>”τὰ ta “<the>”τῆς tēs “<the>”

and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been

ὁ ho “the”τῶν tōn “of those”τῇ tēa “the”

Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I shall not spare you;

τὸ to “the”τοῖς tois “to those”τοῖς tois “to the”τὸ to “the [same]”

since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you.

τοῦ tou “<the>”

Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers: put your own selves under examination. Or do you not know that Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere?

τῇ tēa “the”

And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong; not in order that our sincerity may be demonstrated, but that you may do what is right, even though our sincerity may seem to be doubtful.

τὸν ton “<the>”τὸ to “what [is]”

For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;

τῆς tēs “the”τῆς tēs “the”

and it is a joy to us when we are powerless, but you are strong. This we also pray for--the perfecting of your characters.

τὴν tēn “the”

For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

τὴν tēn “the”ὁ ho “the”

Finally, brethren, be joyful, secure perfection of character, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace. And then God who gives love and peace will be with you.

τὸ to “the”ὁ ho “the”τῆς tēs “<the>”