| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with plen de mē epi pleion se engkopto {πλὴν δὲ μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω | plēn dè mḕ epì pleîon se engkóptō}, where plen de “however” marks a concessive transition and mē epi pleion functions adverbially as “not to detain you further.” The prepositional phrase epi pleion intensifies the sense of undue prolongation. The primary verb parakalo {παρακαλῶ | parakalô} “I appeal” governs the infinitive akousai {ἀκοῦσαί | akoûsai} “to hear,” with se in the accusative serving as the logical subject of the infinitive and hemon in the genitive as the people to be heard. The adverb syntomos {συντόμως | syntómōs} “briefly” specifies the limited duration requested. Finally, the dative instrument phrase te sē epieikeia {τῇ σῇ ἐπιεικείᾳ | tê sē epieikeíā} “by your clemency” underscores that the request rests on the judge’s accustomed fairness, placed at the sentence’s end for heightened emphasis. |