Posts filed under 'Articles'
Lesson from Mother Goose.
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children she didn’t know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread.
She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.
a)Is this old lady shepherding a flock or managing an organization?
b)Is she more concerned with efficiency or the needs of each child?
c)Why do you think she didn’t know what to do?
d)How is she coping with maintaining order without compromising numbers?
e) Do you see an example of “one size fits all” approach?
f) If the shoe is a church of poor lost hungry children for God, what kind of leader does this old woman represent?
g) How does such a leader ” whipped them all soundly and send them to bed” in a church setting?
h) Is such a leader feeding the flock to grow spirirually healthy or just feeding a flavour of the real thing wihout much substance as in ” broth without bread” ? What kind of sermons do these people preach?
i) How does the size of a church change a family to an organization?In what way does an increasing congregational size a disadvantage?
Is the church to make disciples or increase headcount in membership?
Why do you think such a situation arises in modern churches especially?
June 2nd, 2008
Biblical words describing Christians are humbling. Makes you think twice whether you should call yourself leader and what behaviours should shine forth instead.
You will realize that not all words translated as ’servant’ or ‘minister’ have the same meaning.
1.Doulos - a bond servant, one who voluntarily or involuntarily bond himself up to the will of another
a. Paul
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God…
b. Apostles
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants (doulos) for Jesus’ sake.
c. James
James 1:1 James, a servant (doulos) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…….
d. Simon Peter
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant (doulos) and an apostle of Jesus Christ…
e. Christians
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants(doulos) to obey, his servants(doulos) ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
We become his slaves out of our own free will.We choose to be subservient to Him.
2. Oiketes - house servant, menial servant or in South East Asia we may say “coolie” of a household.
My grandfather used to have a faithful coolie who came from China at a young age. With no family of his own he was just grateful simply because he had a roof over his head and food provided for his hard labour. He remained faithful even to my father after the death of my grandfather.
Luke 16:13 No servant(oiketes) can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant(oiketes)? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
If you are a menial worker for one master who provided for you, how can you serve a master from another house? All coolies are judged based on what the Master has instructed. Coolies listen to the call of the Master.
3. Misthios - hired servant, servant paid for their labour; wage earner.
This word is not used for believers. Used by the prodigal son in his reflection about himself compared to his father’s hired hands.
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants(misthios) of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants(misthios).
The Prodigal son compares himself with outsiders who were paid for their labour. He did not compare himself with house servants who were part of the family structure. He considered himself as an outsider to the family. Even the outsiders got a better deal than him.
4. Pais - child, servant. This word is derived from beat. Was it because you could easily beat up a slave like a child with no rights?
This is an interesting choice of word.This word was used for Israel, Jesus and David .
Could it also be used in an affectionate way? In Hainanese a younger person addresses himself as “nong” when speaking to an elder. Nong in chinese character is nu meaning slave. Grandparents affectionately call their grandchildren as nong.
Luke 1:54 He hath holpen his servant(pais) Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant(pais), whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant(pais) David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
5. Huperestes - under rower , officers, subordinates
It literally means under rower. I can imagine a ship with slaves rowing a ship. They have to row in unison with the beat of the drum, thus subordinate to those in charge. Maybe it is akin to the Hokkien word kah kiah or kah chiu i.e. “hands and legs”. Hands and legs are controlled by the Head. They are under the authority of someone higher, thus subordinate.
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer(huperetes), and thou be cast into prison.
Paul the huperetes of Jesus. He had to row to Jesus’ authority, not to his own beat.
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister(huperetes)and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers(huperetes) of Christ, and stewards(oikonomos) of the mysteries of God.
Notice two separate words are used here: huperetes and oikonomos.
5. Leitourgos - a public servant , a functionary in a temple
This is derived from two words laos ( people) and ergon ( work) . He works to serves people. A chrisian is part of God’s civil service.
Romans 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers (leitourgos), attending continually upon this very thing.
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister(leitourgos), of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers(leitourgos), a flame of fire.
Hebrews 8:2 A minister(leitourgos), of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
6. diakonos - an attendant, servant, one who runs errands, deacon, a person who waits upon or serve tables (diakoneo, diakonia)
This is the most well known word for the English speaking because we are more familiar with the word deacon.
1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers (diakonos) by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (diakonos) of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister ( diakonos)
Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister(diakonos) and fellowservant( sun- doulos) in the Lord:
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (diakonia).
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve(diakoneo) tables.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry(diakonia) of the word.
We run errands or do chores for Him. We are His peons. In modern terms, when you diakonos you are doing operational or logstics work to achieve an objective. There is a difference between a responsibility, a role,a title and a full time paid job. Even Phoebe was a diakonos. Was this a responsibility? A role? A title? A full time paid job?
You will notice that the apostles used many words to describe themselves. These words are not titles or full time paid occupation.
We are ALL servants and bond slaves.
With regards to our own will we are doulos. We bond ourselves to Him willingly as His slaves. When we are added into his house we are his house slaves (oiketes) serving only one Master. Although slaves He treats us as His pais. We listen to His voice and act according to His will working together in unison as huperetes rowing to the beat of the shipmaster. We are busy in our Father’s business, serving the public as leitourgos; as diakonos running errands and logistics to do His will according to His beat. We are not hired hands (misthios); we respond to a calling not a job, not a career opportunity.
So tell me what do you mean when you call yourself a church leader?
Is there such a thing as a hyphenated Servant-Leader? One foot in the bible, one foot in the world?
“I’ve got a home in glory land that outshines the sun…”(3X)
Way beyond the blue.
Doulos, O, doulos , O do remember Me?…..(3X)
Way beyond the blue…..”
February 6th, 2008
Some folks think King James Version translation of the bible is closer to the original text. Even swear by it and insists every one has to use it. This may be so provided you understand old English, as old as Shakespeare and Queen Victoria.
The chain is as strong as the weakest link. In this case the weak link is not the accuracy of the translation but the language ability of the modern day reader.
I grew up with King James Bible and American Standard Version which my prejudiced view thinks they have wonderful prose. If only every one uses it. Indeed my sister studied the KJV in the university as a literature text. But then…how many of us are English literature major?
A modern reader is bound to read with a modern slant raising befuddled questions even if the text is better translation of the original Greek and Hebrew.
Example:
1)What do you understand by the word ‘without’?
Hebrews 13:11-12 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned WITHOUT the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered WITHOUT the gate.
My reaction as a modern reader is to assume it means “don’t have”. E.g. I left home without my keys.
So it is odd that the sacrifice is burned not having the camp and Jesus suffered with no gate?? Why did he need a gate for? what gate? Strange, isn’t it?
To my surpise I later learned in old English it meant the opposite of ‘within’ so we have withOUT and withIN. Or in our modern world it means Outside!!
Thus the meaning of the verses above is that the sacrifice was done outside the camp and Jesus suffered outside the city gate of Jerusalem.
2) Another example is the word “wonderful”
Judges 13:18 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful? ( ASV)
Psalms 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
What does wonderful mean to you? I thought it meant fantastic or marvellous.
In Judges 13:18 Manoah, childless father of yet to be born Samson asked the angel what his name was. The angel’s reply was Wonderful. My name is Fantastic! Marvellous! Sounds like one of the Fantastic Four Marvel heroes.
The Hebrew word comes from pela or pala which means difficult, full of wonder or impossible. The angel was informing Manoah that the God who could do the Impossible had responded to his prayers.
The Psalmist is saying certain knowledge is full of wonder, impossible for him to grasp. He is not going to take more than he can chew! He will be like a weaned child and be at peace and let God takes care.
Our God is Wonderful, He does the Impossible, too full of wonders thus wonder-full.
Comparing bible versions is a good way of study. The purpose is to look out for similarities and differences which will give you a dead give-away that something is amiss in whatever you have been taught.
Let’s look at the word STUDY. This is a favourite quote if you have been in the churches of Christ for a long time. Newer Christians who study the bible with NKJV or NIV may not have this problem.
2 Timothy 2:15 STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As a modern reader, how do you understand the word ’study’?
Most would immediately think it is bible study. More study, more better, yes?
My reaction is, if this is so, does it mean those who are less studious or literate will be able “to shew themselves approved”? Are they to be ashamed? Is this verse limiting our understanding solely to book study and nothing else?
How does book study influence interpretation of other verses? e.g.Hebrews 5:12-13 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.
I was told once that eating meat here means study more “cheem” stuff in Greek and Hebrew. If so , what happen if you are not smart enough?
If you compare with New KJV, NIV even old English ASV and the Chinese bible you will find something unusual.
e.g. ASV 2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
What is the difference between ’study’ and ‘diligence’? Do they mean the same?
Study in the modern day context is an activity associated with book study. Diligence refers to one’s attitude and effort. Is diligence limited to book study?
The Greek word in the text is spoudazo which means diligent, give your utmost, zealous. Study may be correct translation if you think like Shakespeare , as in “study that man who is a suspect” where study here means to be focused and put effort into examining the suspect. It certainly does not mean buying a book from MPH about the suspect or attend a class on that subject.
SPOUDAZO is used elsewhere as in:
Galatians 2:9-10 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was zealous/forward(spoudazo) to do.
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring(spoudazo) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour(spoudazo) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
If you read the Chinese bible, the word used is jie li which means give your utmost or put your utmost energy into……
Diligence will include many aspects and I do believe it includes bible study but not limited to it.
So for 2 Tim 2:15 if you are a workman and you are to be diligent so that your work is approved, what is the product that will be inspected for approval by God?
How is a novice carpenter’s competence assessed? By his workmanship as seen in the furniture he made. A Master carpenter will see whether the carpentry of the chair or cupboard or table was well done before he certifies his workman. So spiritually if you are being assessed as a workman of God in His spiritual work, what part of you will be examined? What is the product of God’s Spirit at work? Where do you apply “rightly dividing (orthotomeo) the word of God” in order that you are an approved workman?
Does the answer lie in these verses?
Orthotomeo means making a straight cut. The root word for tomeo is used in Heb.4:12 meaning “sharper”.
What is sharp and where does it cut?
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
January 7th, 2008
Does the Holy Spirit work through the word only?
To answer this interesting question requires us to understand and have an agreement on what is this “word”?
There are 2 ways I think we can deal with this question. One is by the scholarly way, i.e. by going Greek,. The second way is the layman’s way of questions in applying what we have been taught by our more scholarly brethren, (without even the need to quote book, chapter and verse).
A. Let’s do the easy one first – The layman’s approach.
When you hear or see this “word”, what do you have in mind?
Most of us in the educated world will probably relate it to the written word i.e. the Bible.
So the question then is, “Does the Holy Spirit work though the “word” i.e. the Bible only?”
Let us use what we have been taught. Those of us who grew up in the church would know the following:
1. We do not have a headquarters
2. Each congregation is autonomous
3. We are of the royal priesthood. There is no separate clergy.
4. The gospel is for all
5. God is no respecter of persons
6. Jesus taught the poor and less educated.
The modern church is very educated. We are very fond of study.
If the Holy Spirit works through the Bible only, it means you have to be educated or at least literate.
Does it mean that some of us who are less smart or not well endowed with opportunities, will not know Jesus and His wisdom? Not smart enough to know Jesus by studing a Book?
If so, it looks like we need a separate clergy. A priesthood of educated to enlighten us ignorant folks.
If that is the case then who decides where to be educated? American bible school? Why American and not British? Why angmoh? Who does the validation? Since we do not have headquarters, so how?
Is God showing favoritism to the educated? Or have the educated misread the Word?
B. The “scholarly”way.
This is my presumption to be scholarly.
John 1:1 The Word is used in the English Bible. The Greek word is LOGOS.
LOGOS means principles or concepts. The King James translators “unfortunately” used “the Word” which confuses modern readers like us. If only another word was used. We in this part of the world do not think like Victorians.
(Similar confusion has arisin with English words like worship and wine. There are more than one word in the Greek for each of them respectively.)
In the Chinese bible, LOGOS is translated as Dao4( way, path, principle) instead of Zi4( word or character) or Yan2(speech or word) or Ci2( term or word). At least this is what I gather from my Chinese dictionary.
So John 1:1 in Chinese will be similar to the original Greek,
In the beginning was the Way or Principle…
There is more than one method to convey a Principle depending on the level of the audience.
How to teach good manners? How do you teach the principle of courtesy or etiquette to a child?
Do you expect a young child who has not learn to read or write to understand ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘courtesy’ by reading definitions from a dictionary?
You teach by story telling. You teach by example in an actual situation and with time the child will get “the hang of it”and know under what situation he should say please, excuse me or thank you. They will know even without the ability to define what the words actually mean.
How do you teach the principle of addition?
You can teach either with written words e.g.
In English : One plus one equals two
In Mandarin: Yi jia yi deng er
In Malay: Satu campur satu jadi dua
The actual words vary with the language but the principle of addition is eternal.
You can teach visually or pictorially by drawing one apple , followed by another and articulating the words of the addition principle as mentioned above.
You can also convey the same principle symbolically
1+1 = 2
Or @+& = &+@
Thus a principle may be conveyed in more than one way catering to both the less educated and also the more brainy ones.
There are two other NT Greek words for the English “word”. They are Rhema (utterances, Eph.6:17, Matt. 4:4, 1Pet.1:25) and Graphe (drawings, writings as in 2Tim. 3:16, Jon 13:18)). I suppose graphe is a collection of rhema uttered by God and His messengers, the prophets and apostles.
So does the Holy Spirit work through the LOGOS? YES.
Does the Holy Spirit work through the written word ONLY? NO!
How is the Logos manifested?
1. Written word
2. Living word , Jesus Himself
3. Living epistles ( 2Cor.3:2-3), Christian examples moved by the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. Ro.8:9
I think the layman’s approach in finding an answer to the question is the best. To limit the Holy Spirit to the written word alone means that you have to be educated in order be saved.
The written word is an excellent record to deal with disputes. The Bible is an excellent record for reference through laws, narratives, histories, poetry and letters where the Logos is embedded and revealed to those who have the indwelling.
If we hold the belief that the Holy Spirit work is limited to a book, then God’s treasure is revealed only to those with scholarship.
What do you think?
October 10th, 2007
I don’t like the word “LEADER” as used in the church. The word “Leader” is not found in the scripture the way the secular world operates.
Modern Christian churches love this word. Just look at the number of books written on Leadership. Many church leadership expectations and practices are more towards “Thus saith the latest management bestsellers” than “Thus saith the Lord”.
Did Jesus use this word at all in His teachings? How many books or sermons have you read or heard on servant hood? Being a servant is not grand. No glamour. No visibility. Such books do not sell well. Even when we want to teach servant hood we secularized it with the latest from management bestsellers and called it Servant-Leader. We just find it unpalatable to call someone servant without elevating it somewhat with the word leader inserted. Some folks find submission difficult and so they resurrect their “old self” in a hyphenated name.
As mentioned in another article, the apostles often called themselves slaves or bond servant. A more unglamorous word! The modern Christian is uncomfortable to be lowly. Have you noticed a change in your modern hymn book in Isaac Watts’ famous hymn - “Alas! And did my Saviour bleed”? In the 1st stanza the words “such a worm as I” have been changed to “such a one as I”! Some modern day Christians squirm like a worm to be considered one and could not resist changing the lyrics to be more genteel.
Yes, the church requires people to take the lead but we do not need Leaders per se. It is important in this situation to use biblical words to minimize the strong influence of the world. The biblical word is Steward.
Stewards are leaders BUT Leaders are not necessary steward. This is not a play of semantics. Its implication is great on the discipleship of God’s people.
A steward by his role is and should keenly be aware he is not Owner. He has been entrusted to manage what was given by the Owner. His role requires him to take the lead to manage whatever resources including himself for the service of the Master. Leadership is expected because accountability comes with stewardship. A steward should know his place. When you are called a steward or assume this role, you should know your place. You are oikonomos, manager of the house, NOT the Owner.
A steward by its role and accountability is Necessary condition to conclude that he has to take a lead to what he has been entrusted with. A Leader on the other hand may not give one the Sufficient moral condition to be a steward because personal agenda may come in. The role of a Leader is brings in more glory in the carnal world.
What are Necessary and Sufficient conditions? An example to consider:
1.A normal human being is a creature with two legs.
“Normal human being” is Necessary enough condition for one to conclude it is a creature with two legs
2.A creature with two legs must be a normal human.
Here “two legs” is not Sufficient enough to conclude it human. Birds have two legs too!
We can only conclude it is a Possibility, not a certainty that two-legged creatures may or may not be human. We need more conditions or validations before we can insist certainty.
Likewise stewards as used in the scriptures necessarily require them to take leadership in whatever has been entrusted. The unscriptural word, leader on the other hand may or may not be a good steward by definition.
Words are important because they give life. Whether it is life in the spirit of God or the spirit of the Age depends on how true we are.
How many full time workers feel more respected as Minister instead of the actual meaning - Servant? It is true the word minister is found in the scripture. It is another word hijacked and elevated by the secular world. It is used widely in the government service.
Would you put ‘Church Servant” on your name card? “Church Minister” sounds more respectable isn’t it? Would you feel guilty if you elevate yourself as Senior Minister? It does not feel so bad. does it? But….. you will feel the unease if you try calling yourself Senior Servant or Senior Slave. Doesn’t it make you think twice before you attempt to elevate yourself above the rest of the flock?
Scriptural words are very humbling, aren’t they?
Luke 12:42-43 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant( doulos), whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
A steward is also a doulos, a bond slave. Read Luke 16 on stewardship.
Stewards are leaders BUT leaders are not necessary steward. A leader can only exist if he has followers. To call yourself a leader means the church is your followers. This is outrageous! You become the focus unwittingly instead of Jesus. A leader may want to do great things because he is expected by others. Submitting to him is critical for the success of the church to realize the leader’s plan to bring the church to greater heights. A leader forgets we are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful. Our calling is to fulfill His will not the church leader’s grand ideas. Pressured to lead, church leaders may be tempted. Modern church leadership brings forth a different fruit of the spirit, one man’s spirit instead of the Holy Spirit’s.
So it is possible for a humble faithful servant, once placed in leadership position with the burden of responsibility may be forced to behave un-Christlike way because of the pressure of expectation comes with the role/title LEADER. With the right biblical term used, you will be constantly think reminded, think twice about your approach because of your place. The burden is indeed great. It is a big dilemma for the modern church especially when size matters to the incumbent ‘leaders’.
We are all Stewards just as we are all priests whether we like it or not. As stewards we do not opt out of “leadership” with excuses e.g. we are not good enough or do not wish to be involved. As stewards we are to take the lead in whatever God has entrusted to us. It may be very unglamorous, even unnoticed. You can “tai-chi” away your leadership responsibility but you have to give an account as a God’s steward.
We tend to limit the word stewardship to money. How often to you hear of lessons with such an association? i.e. a lesson on Christian stewardship is money management? Is this word limited to this usage in the scripture?
1.A steward is a doulos
Luke 12:42-43 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward (oikonomos), whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant(doulos) , whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
2. The apostles saw themselves as ministers. The word used is huperetes meaning subordinate (not leaders!) They are stewards, required to be faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers (huperetes) of Christ, and stewards (oikonomos) of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards(oikonomos), that a man be found faithful.
3. A bishop is an overseer who is a steward entrusted with the flock. To steward what God has entrusted to him. How should be steward himself?
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward (oikonomos) of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
4.Each of us is a steward and a minister. How faithful are we in taking the lead in what God has entrusted to us?
1 Peter 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards(oikonomos) of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Stewards, slaves, subordinates, servants, ministers are such un-glamorous terms used by the apostles.
How then should be view church leadership? How should the church be organized scripturally?
What do you think?
more thoughts in Part 2
October 4th, 2007
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