Manna issue 80 - When the Heat Comes, We Shall Not Fear 炎熱來到，並不懼怕
God has prepared for us protection and salvation. 神已經準備好保護我們，拯救我我
F.F. Chong—London, UK
英國倫敦 張福華傳道
Lengthy exposure to the sun causes
heatstroke and sunburn. Worse, it
damages the skin and may even lead
to skin cancer. Yet many still choose
to suffer the intense heat of the sun.
Some do it out of vanity, e.g., regular
tanning to look good, while others
do it for survival, toiling laboriously
under the sun to eke out a meager
existence.
長時間曝露在陽光之中，會引起中暑和燙傷。
更慘的是，皮膚受傷之外，還可以引起皮膚癌。
然而卻仍有許多人會選擇享受陽光強烈的照射。
有些人為了虛榮才這麼作，例如，定期把皮膚曬黑，看起來很棒，
而有些人為了生存，才需要這麼作，
在大太陽之下，努力付出勞力來作工，勉強得以糊口。
In the natural world, the heat during
a drought is particularly destructive.
Every green plant withers without
water (cf. Gen 41:6, 23). Every life
form is at the mercy of the scourging
sun. Little can survive Nature’s fiery
ordeal.
自然界中，乾旱時節的炎熱是特別有破壞性。
每一種植物因為沒有水份的滋養而乾枯。(參考，創 41：6，23)
每一種活物都在灼熱的陽光之下，乞求活命。
但卻只有少少的生命，可以在這嚴酷的定律之下存活。
Today, the prevalence of famines
due to prolonged summers and
unpredictable heat waves in many
parts of the world fulfills Jesus’
prophecy of the time of troubles
ahead of His Second Advent (Mt
24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:11). Apart from
physical phenomena, these woes
can also refer to problems within the
community of God. The intensity
of the problems will increase as the
church becomes more susceptible to
the powerful perversity and secularity
of the world.
今日，因為夏季的時間延長，世界各地都有人難以預測的熱浪襲捲四處，造成很多地方面臨乾旱的情況，
就符合了耶穌的預言，在祂再臨之前的危難發生的情況。(太 24：7；可 13：8；路 21：11)
除了物質上有這些情況之外，這些災難也可能是指著會在神子民團契之中，發生的問題。
這些問題可怕的程度會不斷增加，
因為教會變得很容易受到，來自世界上強大邪惡力量及世俗化影響力的破壞。
Nevertheless, the prophets of the
Old Testament consistently reassure
the children of God. We need not fear
the coming heat because our God will
provide the requisite shelter. The God
whom we worship is the Lord of Life;
and so He has the power to lead us
through the most difficult patches in
life, and the unpredictability of the
ever-changing world. However, there
are conditions we must fulfill in order
to receive and remain in this blessed
position. Fulfilling the conditions
not only preserves our relationship
with God, but more importantly,
strengthens it.
不過，舊約的先知不斷一直向神的子女保証。
炎熱來臨之時，我們不需要懼怕，因為神已經預備了我們所需的避難所。
我們敬拜的神，是生命的主宰；
所以祂有權能帶領我們走過生命之中，最為困難的一小部份，
以及生命之中，我們所要面對，那些世界上不斷變化的不確定性。
然而，為了能夠得到祝福，保守自已仍佔住自已珍貴的位置，要神保守也是有先決條件要達成的。
達成這些要求，不只我們要和神維持好關係，
而更重要的是，還要加強我們與神之間的關係。
REMAIN IN GOD’S SALVATION 持守在神的救贖中
There are many prophecies concerning
God’s salvation for His chosen people.
One of these is the acceptable time
(Isa 49:8). Spiritually speaking, when
this time comes, people who believe
in God are set free from every chain.
They will be given food wherever
they are; even on desolate heights
(Isa 49:9), i.e., places where nothing
could ever grow. At these heights,
they are completely exposed to the
heat of the sun. But by God’s grace,
the heat does not pose the slightest
threat to them (Isa 49:10b). They
enjoy the same protection as that
provided by the pillar of cloud to the
Exodus Generation (Ex 13:22).
關於神對他選民的救贖，有許多的預言。
其中之一就是談到適當的時機。(賽 49：8)
就屬靈的意義上來說，當時機來到的時候，
那些信神的人，就會從鎖鍊之中被釋放。
不論他們身在何處，都有食物，
甚至是在荒涼的高山上，(賽 49：9)
也就是說，那些從以前到現在，長不出植物的地方。
這些高山的地方，植物完全會受到太陽熱力的灼烤。
但因為有神的恩典，這些熱力並不會對他們造成一點點的威脅。(賽 49：10b)
他們同享神的保護，就好像在以色列人出埃及地的那個世代一樣，有雲柱在幫助他們。
Heat figuratively means trials, tests
and temptation. As long as they
remain under His protective wing,
God’s elect will always be sheltered
from the "heat" of every difficult
circumstance. What Isaiah says is even
more astounding: neither heat nor
the sun shall strike them (Isa 49:10b).
God will lead them by the springs of
water (Isa 49:10c). When the elect
function fully under the guardianship
of the Lord, the abundant grace of
God is sufficient for them to deal with
any situation in life, be it in peace or
adversity.
熱力若是以比喻來說，就代表了試煉，試探和引誘。
只要他們仍在祂護衛的雙翼之下，神的揀選總會成為我們的避難所，
讓我們可以脫離任何困難環境之中，那些"炎熱"般苦難的傷害。
而以賽亞所說的，甚至讓人更加震驚：
炎熱和烈日必不傷害他們；(賽 49：10b)
因為憐恤他們的必引導他們，領他們到水泉旁邊。(賽 49：10c)
當選民行進的路程，完全處於主的照護之下，
神給他們的豐富恩典非常的足夠，讓他們不論平安或患難，都可以面對生命中的任何景況。
This prophecy was fulfilled when
God established His church at the
downpour of the Spirit. God’s grace
was spread far and wide in the early
church. Although Satan hotly pursued
the church and tried to destroy her
through the fiery opposition from the
ruling authorities, the work of saving
was not stifled. The Lord protected
the church in the midst of fiery trials.
Thus, in that time of persecution,
Peter urged the church to focus on
the salvation that would come (cf. 1
Pet 1:5–8). The grace of God would
continue to abound in the church.
當神建立教會，把聖靈澆灌下來的時候，這個預言就實現了。
早期教會的時候，神的恩典並施萬民又寬又廣。
雖然撒旦激烈地迫害教會，試著從統治階級那裡，施用猛烈的反對行動，想要來摧毀教會，
但神拯救的工作，並沒有被堵住。
在狂烈的火煉試探之中，神保守了教會。
因此，在受到迫害的時候，彼得鼓勵教會要集中心力在即將到來的拯救。(彼前 1：5-8)
神的恩典會繼續豐豐滿滿的加給教會。
However, the frequency of trials will
increase, particularly before the second
coming of Christ (cf. 2 Tim 3:1). Not
only will the church experience what
the apostolic church went through,
she will face even greater challenges.
To find cover from the intense heat
of trials, believers have to remain in
the church of God. The prophet Joel
warned of the coming of the great and
awesome day of the Lord (Joel 2:31),
testifying to the reality of the coming
perils. But in Zion (the church) there
shall be deliverance, i.e., salvation for
the elect (Joel 2:32b; Isa 46:13).
然而，試煉的次數是會逐漸增加的，尤其是基督再臨之前，更是如此。(參考，提後 3：1)
現今的教會不只會體驗到，當時使徒時代教會所受到的逼迫，而且也甚至會面臨更大的挑戰。
若是要在這種強烈試煉的熱力之中，找到一些保護，信徒一定要保守在神的教會中。
先知約珥警告我們，主大而可畏的日子的來到，(珥 2：31)
見証災難臨到的現實。
難而在鍚安(教會)之中，必有拯救，
那就是說，選民必有拯救。(珥 2：32b；賽 46：13)
WASH OUR ROBES WHITE 洗淨外袍潔白如雪
The greatest peril that the church and
her believers would encounter is the
great tribulation (Rev 7:14). After
the opening of the sixth seal, the four
angels standing by the four corners of
the world are temporarily prevented
from harming the earth, the sea and
the trees (Rev 7:1–3). Their work of
destruction is put on hold to make
way for the work of sealing for God’s
servants. The seal enables the latter
to be victorious, and these elect then
gather to acknowledge the salvation
work of God (Rev 7:9–10). They are
arrayed in white robes before the
throne. The robe represents characters
and behavior. They have washed their
robes. This indicates that they have
sanctified themselves by the washing
of the blood of the Lamb (Rev
7:13–14; 12:11a). With their nature
refined, they are able to gain access
to the Lord. They serve the Lord day
and night in His temple (Rev 7:15).
Their entire existence revolves around
God and their work for Him. In return,
they experience the total presence of
God in their midst. God consciously
chooses to abide with them.
教會和信徒會遇到最大的危險，就是大患難。(啟 7：14)
第六封印打開之後，出現了四位天使站在世界的四個角落，
被暫時防止地球，海洋，各地的植物受到傷害。(啟 7：1-3)
他們暫停了毀滅的工作，為了就是可以在神僕人的額頭蓋印。
這個印讓神的僕人可以勝利，然後這些選民聚集起來，感謝神救贖的工作。(啟 7：9-10)
他穿白衣站一排在寶座前。
這些代表個人的品格和行為。
他們已經把衣裳洗白淨了。
這代表了，他們已經用羔羊的寶血洗淨自已，讓自已成為聖潔。(啟 7：13-14；12：11a)
因為已經改進了品格，所以可以和主好好溝通。
他們日夜在聖殿中服事主。(啟 7：15)
他們圍繞在神的四周，服事稱頌祂。
相對的，他們體驗到神在他們中間完全的存在。
這也是神決定要選擇和他們同住。
God accepts and honors us when
we attain the required standard of
cleanness and godliness. We would
no longer again experience spiritual
hunger and thirst (Rev 7:16a). In
God’s presence, our soul is eversatisfied
and we will never have
a sense of emptiness within us.
Although there will be times when
things are unbearable and daunting,
God will always be there to quench
our thirst by the power of the Spirit.
當我們達到所需具備了聖潔和敬虔的標準時，
神就接納了我們，讓我們得著榮耀。
我們就不會再一次體會到屬靈的飢餓和飢渴。(啟 7：16a)
若有神同在，我們的靈就會永遠惑到滿足，並不永遠不會有空虛感。
雖然有時候會有一些事情，讓人感到難以承擔，或是讓人感到氣餒，
神總會同在，用聖靈的力量，止息我們的飢渴。
The absence of God from a person’s
life is a huge and chronic problem.
Although the person may try to
repress it, the sense of dissatisfaction
arising from alienation from God
lingers. The difficulties in his or her life
exacerbate this dissatisfaction. And
when God’s protection is absent, a
person is always exposed to the full
and almost unbearable heat of a trial.
一個人的生活中，若沒有神的同在，是一個非常巨大的問題，也是一種慢性病。
雖然人們可以試著去仰制這種不安，但由於遠離了神，
導致了這種無法滿足的感覺油然而生，無且持續困擾著一個人。
若一個人在他或她的生活中，剛好遇到了困難，就會更加擴大這種不滿足，使之更加惡化。
而且若是沒有神的保護，人們無論什麼時候，
全然都曝露在那種試煉之中，讓人難以承受的痛苦之中。
Trials and tribulations are inevitable.
In fact, this is the way for us to gain
entry into the Kingdom of God (Acts
14:22). Unlike non-believers, we have
God. If we allow God to shepherd us,
the outcome will be amazing – He will
lead us to Himself, the living fountains
of waters (Rev 7:17). God's leadership
reflects not only His presence but also
the intimate relationship we have with
Him. In this relationship, there are no
more tears. Sin results in death, but in
our sin-free relationship, there is no
more death. We enjoy life eternal (Isa
25:8).
試煉和患難是無所避免的。
事實上，這就是我們得到進入天國門票的方式。(徒 14：22)
不像是一般沒有信主的人，我們有神可以依靠。
若我們可以讓神來保護我們，最後的發展一定是很奇妙的 -
祂，是我們生命中的活泉之水，會親自引領我們。(啟 7：17)
有神的代領，不是意謂了有祂的同在，而且也代表了我們和祂之間，有親密的關係。
在這神同在的關係之中，我們不再掉淚。
雖然罪會帶來死亡，但在我們無罪一身輕的關係之中，就不再有死亡的感脅。
我們享有永遠的生命。(賽 25：8)
TRUST IN HIM 信靠祂
For God to lead us requires us to
trust in Him. What does trusting
God actually entail? Demonstration
of this trust goes beyond our daily
practice of reading the Bible and
praying to God. In the time of Isaiah,
there were some whose prayers and
sacrifices were completely rejected
by God (Isa 1:12–15). In fact, their
offerings and religious practices were
an abomination in God’s eyes. The
more they performed these rituals the
angrier God became towards them.
要讓神來帶領我們，首先我們要信靠祂。
那到底信靠神需要包含那些事呢？
要能夠証明信靠神，不只是要作到每日向神讀經禱告而已。
在以賽亞的時代，有些人的禱告和獻祭是完全被神所拒絕的。(賽 1：12-15)
事實上，他們的獻祭，及人外表裝出來的虔誠，在神眼中看起來仍然可憎。
這種外表儀議的事情他們作得越多，神就變得對他們更加生氣。
The prophet Jeremiah once said
that the man who trusts in the Lord
shall be blessed … And he will not
fear when the heat comes (Jer 17:7–
8). A person is like a tree planted by
the waters, which spreads out its roots
by the river. This is the life of a person
who trusts in God—he stands strong
in the scourging heat.
耶利米先知有一次說到，
7倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的，那人有福了！
8炎熱來到，並不懼怕。
(耶 17：7-8)
他必像樹栽於水旁，在河邊扎根。
這就是信靠神的人，他的生活，在灼熱之下，他勇敢站立。
How can a person avoid being
adversely affected by fiery trials and
persecutions? The Psalmist (Ps 1)
provides the steps to take to attain
to the level of spirituality required to
withstand the full force of any test
that comes our way.
在火熱的試煉及迫害之中，到底人要怎麼作，才能不會受到壞事的影響呢？
詩篇的作者(詩篇第一章)，告訴我們幾個方法，讓我們知道所需要達到的屬靈程度，
這樣我們才能完完抵擋任何來到我們面前的試驗，以及它所帶來的傷害。
First, there must be a desire to
separate ourselves from the wicked.
God’s children must never share in
wickedness, sin and scornfulness
(Ps 1:1). This is to ensure we remain
untainted by corruption. We cannot
call Christ the Lord while in assembly
with other children of God and, after
the assembly has been dismissed, we
behave no differently from those who
do not know God. This is unacceptable.
A life of double standards will surely
incur the wrath of God; we cannot
possibly then expect the Lord’s help in
time of need.
第一，一定要想把自已和邪惡的事情分開。
神的子女一定不要和任何邪惡，罪和讓人厭惡的事情有份。(詩 1：1)
這是為了確保，我們仍然保守，未被沾污敗壞。
我們不能和其他神的子女一起聚集的時候，就呼喊主，基督，
而聚完會之後，我們和那些不認識神的人，並沒有分別。
這是不能接受的。
雙重標準的生活，一定會引起神的憤怒；
因此我們就不可能在有需要神的時候，期待主會來幫助我們。
Second, we are working towards
being with God when we begin to
develop a love for God’s word (Ps 1:2).
We can attain such a love if we are
determined to change ourselves from
bad to good, allowing the Spirit to
work on our sinful nature and corrupt
character. This purging process is
essential. Once it is accomplished,
nothing will hinder us from drawing
closer to God. When the old nature
has been put to death, God abides
with us always, and our love for God’s
word grows stronger correspondingly.
第二，當我們開始培養自已對神的話語喜愛之心的時候，
事實上我們是正朝著能夠與神同在的方向在努力。(詩 1：2)
若我們決心要自已改變，由惡轉善，讓聖靈來糾正我們罪惡的本性及敗壞的性格。
這種潔淨的過程是最基本的。
一旦完成了這個過程，就沒有任何事情可以阻止我們親近神。
當舊人已經被治死，神時時和我們同在，
我們對神話語的喜愛，就自然而然會變的更加渴望。
Constant meditation on His word
will help us further develop our love
for His word. Once we taste the
goodness of the word, we would
want more. But this willingness does
not come by easily. The psalmist wrote
that he, "meditates the word day and
night" (Ps 1:2b). The word ‘meditate’
means speaking to oneself the word
of God. There is always a need for
us to speak to ourselves the word of
God. This is both a conscious choice
and a way of teaching ourselves. At
whatever level of spirituality we may
be, it is absolutely essential for us to
self-teach the word in this manner,
aside from the teachings we learn
from others and the church. Selfteaching
is to be done with a sense
of reminding ourselves to keep the
word.
不斷思想祂的話，會幫助我們更進一步發展出愛祂話語的心。
一旦我們嘗到神話語美善的滋味，就會想要得到更多。
但是要得到這種樂意的心，並不是輕易就能得到的。
詩人這麼寫著，
2惟喜愛耶和華的律法，晝夜思想。(詩 1：2b)
"思想"字面上的意思，就是用神的話來告訴自已。
無論什麼時候，我們都有需要用神的話來告訴自已。
這不但是我們下意識作的決定，也是一種自我訓練的方法。
無論我們目前有那種屬靈的程度，絕對重要的是，一定要有這種態度，用神的話來自已訓練。
並且時時用我們從別人身上學到的，或是從教會裡面聽到的教導，不斷學習
作到這種自我教育的方試，就是要時時有想法，
來提醒自已遵守神的話。
Such a procedure of self-teaching is
a good practice. If we maintain noble
hearts before God, the word will work
within us (cf. Lk 8:15). When we are
able to touch God in life, like the roots
of a tree reaching out to the waters,
the scorching heat in the summer
will not harm us. God will be there to
nourish and quench our thirst. There
is a clear channel for us to continually
draw on this divine resource to keep
our spiritual lives healthy. Our hearts
are miraculously kept in the peace of
God (cf. Phil. 4:6–7). The power of
God will rest upon us.
這種自我教育的過程，是一種很好的作法。
若我們在神面前，維持著顆高尚的心，神的話語就會在我們內心動工。(路 8：15)
一旦我們在生活中，可以觸碰到神的時候，就如同樹根可以向外伸展到水邊，
那麼當夏天的炎熱來臨之時，我們就不會受到傷害。
神會同在，滋養我們，止息我們的飢渴。
有這麼一個簡單明瞭的管道，可以讓我們不斷汲取這神聖寶貴的泉源，
讓我們可以保持自已屬靈生命力的健康程度。
很神奇地，自然而然我們的內心就會有神的平安。(參 腓 4：6-7)
我們身上就會有神的力量。
We will never be short of fruits
(Ps 1:3); we will be able to extend
God’s grace to others even when we
ourselves are still facing trials and
tribulations. One notable example is
Paul’s imprisonment. His incarceration
turned out for the furtherance of
the gospel—he preached the gospel
to the palace guards. God’s power
overflowed from Paul and became a
force of motivation to the brethren
in Philippi. The whole church was
strengthened in faith and their
zeal remained undiminished (Phil
1:13–14)
我們永遠不會不按時結果；(詩 1：3)
甚至我們自已仍然在面對試煉和患難的時候，還可以把神的恩典擴及到別人身上。
最引人注意的例子，就是保羅被下在監牢裡。
他坐牢的情況，竟然變成更進一步向外傳福音的好機會 - 他向皇宮的守衛傳福音。
神的力量從保羅的身上滿滿的散發出來，這種情況就變成了腓利比教會弟兄姐妹激勵他們的力量。
整個教會變得信仰堅固，信心剛強，愛主的熱心保持一樣的火熱。(腓 1：13-14)
IN PREPARATION FOR CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
作好準備，等候基督的再臨
When trusting God is founded on the
premise of pursuing godliness, the
Spirit will empower the inner man
with the inclination to do what is right.
Such a person becomes very sensitive
to sin, draws ever closer to God and
is fully molded by God’s word. His
life will not regress to the perversion
of the world. The world may become
more corrupt than ever before but
his life is one that is increasingly filled
with the righteousness of God. His
life is a stark contrast to the secular
around him.
當信靠神是基於追求虔誠的前題之下，
聖靈就會讓人內心更加有能力，會喜愛去作對的事情。
這種人對於罪的事會非常的敏感，會更加親近神，
由裡而外完完全全由神的話語形塑而成。
他的生命不會再走回頭路，找回原來世上的邪惡。
這個世界或許會比以前，變得更加腐敗和罪惡，
然而這種的生活，卻逐漸充滿神的義。
他的生活，相對於身邊世俗的一切事，完完全全相反。
Such a life should be every true
believer’s pursuit before the Second
Advent of Christ. Peter stressed the
importance of having the correct
attitude towards the impending
melting away of the universe in
intense heat. We must examine our
hidden character. We must shine
the light of God on the deepest and
darkest recesses of our hearts, and
honestly consider our manner of life
(2 Pet 3:11). Doing this will help us
keep the righteousness of God as our
main focus in everything we do.
在基督第二次再臨之前，這種的生活模式應該是每個真信徒所應該追求的。
彼得對於即將到來，在這個宇宙將被強烈的大火所熔化之前，特別強調信徒要有正確生活態度的重要性。
我們一定要檢查自已內在隱藏的性格。
在我們最深及最隱藏的內心深處，一定要能發出神的亮光，
並且認真誠實好好想想自已生活的態度。(彼後 3：11)
這麼作，可以幫助我們保守神的公義，由其是在我們在作任何事之後，可以認清自已該注意的方向。
Such individual preparation
will naturally turn into collective
preparation for Christ’s coming
once there is awareness and regular
concerted prayer becomes the
congregational norm. In this way,
the apostolic church example will be
realized in our churches instead of
remaining a far-fetched theological
ideal consigned to the pages of the
Bible. The God-desired faith and love
of the early church shall be found
in us, the end-time true church—
the perfect church of God where
righteousness dwells (cf. 2 Pet 3:13).
而這樣的個人預備，一旦有這樣的意識，並且大家定期齊心禱告，
將會自然而然改變成一種為了迎接基督再臨，群體大家的預備。
只有這樣的方式，使徒時代教會的典範，才會在今日我們的教會中實現，
而不是仍然像是，因為聖經節文賦予了大家，讓大家很勉強接受的宗教神學理念而已。
神所喜悅的信心和早期教會的愛心，應該也能在我們身上看見，就是末日真教會 -
是神完美的教會，其中充滿了神的聖潔公義。(參考，彼後 3：13)
CONCLUSION 結論
Encountering the heat of the day is
inevitable in this life. Peter tells us that
it is no strange thing for a believer to
meet with fiery trials (1 Pet 4:12). The
Bible provides a way to survive it. First
we must remain in God’s salvation at
all costs. This implies that we must
keep ourselves in the church of God
since the church is where salvation
is placed (Isa 46:13). Second, we
are to wash our robes white, to put
ourselves in a position for God to
abide with us. This washing provides
us with the capacity to keep God’s
commandments.
在現今的生活中，免不了要面對每天生活中的炎熱。
彼得告訴我們，信徒遇到火焰般的試煉，並不是什麼奇怪的事。(彼前 4：12)
聖經已經告訴我們如何通過這些試煉，存活下來。
第一就是我們要不計任何代價，一定要保守在神的救贖恩典之中。
這就暗示我們，一定要保守在神的教會裡面，因為教會才是可以獲得拯救的地方。(賽 46：13)
第二，我們要把自已的衣裳洗淨潔白，讓自已可以處於讓神隨時同在的情況。
這種清洗的工作，就能讓我們有能力，來遵守神的誡命。
Apart from personal diligence,
trusting in God is foundational to
helping us withstand the heat of
life’s calamities. Trusting entails being
freed from all unrighteousness. The
power of God to draw us closer to
Him when we frequently reflect on
His word provides a pathway for us to
reach God. With His power, nothing
can stop us from walking righteously
and uprightly regardless of situation.
We will then be able to attain to
righteousness, the ultimate goal. Life,
its temporal pleasures or inevitable
adversity, will not derail us from our
walk toward our heavenly home.
From individual to congregation, we
are prepared for the second coming
of Christ.
除了個人努力之外，信靠神才是在生活中，可以幫助我們抵擋患難中炎熱的根基。
信靠就需要我們可以遠離一切的不義。
那麼神的力量就會吸引我們去就近祂，
而我們隨時思想神的話語，會讓我們有可以親近神的方法。
伴隨著祂的能力，無論處於任何情況，沒有任何事情可以阻止我們行的正直。
然後我們會可以得到公義，就是我們所追尋的最終目標。
在生活中，暫時的享樂，或是不能避免的患難，
不會讓我們因而走偏，而不能走回天家。
從個人到教會全體，我們都準備好，要迎接基督的再臨。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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