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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? |
Commend ourselves – False brethren had charged that Paul was given to self-commendation. (2 Cor. 5:12; 10:8) R4517:6
Epistles of commendation – It was the custom to carry introductory letters. Paul sometimes used them, but he did not need one to the Corinthians, because he himself had founded and established that church and knew the brethren well. R1720:2
Paul's words explain why he was an exception--the brethren already knew him. We feel it is not right to expect people to receive strangers into their confidence without some introduction from us. R1706:5
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| 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: |
Ye are our epistle – The lives of God's people should in every case be "living epistles." R5571:6
It is well that we preach the Word. It is still more important that we live in it. R4391:4
Our Lord recognized no separate clergy class, but all the brethren were to be living epistles of God, ready at all times to give a reason to every inquirer, of the hope that is in them. R984:4
Every Christian is a tract, and one that all men read. R565:2*
A godly life is always a reproof to the ungodly, even where no word of truth may be possible or proper. E294
Written in our hearts – These believers were not then "manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ," (verse 3) but it was Paul's hope that they would be so declared, and that hope was written in his heart. R1323:5*
We shall not know how to write in the hearts of others what we have not had written in our own hearts. Hence the propriety of caution in the choosing of elders, those who have the Lord in their hearts. Q235:3
Read of all men – The best epistle--even more valuable than the Bible, as respects reaching the hearts of men--is the life of a true Christian. R5967:6
Especially by their own families. R5571:6, 4993:1
The person who is living to glorify the Father will be beneficial to himself and to the person to whom he ministers. Others will say, "It is good that such a person lives in our neighborhood." R4993:2
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| 3 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 fleshly tables of the heart. |
Epistle of Christ – The writing, the tracing of the character likeness of the Master in the hearts of his people. R5968:4
Ministered – Written. R5967:3
By us – Paul declares he was one of the instruments used by the Lord in connection with the writing of the epistle. R5967:3
We wrote that in your hearts; we told you about it. CR436:2
Not in tables of stone – Stone is a fitting figure of human hearts petrified by sin. R1322:4*
Of those upon whom the seed of the Kingdom falls, a large proportion are found to be "stony ground." (Mark 4:16) R1322:4*
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| 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: |
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| 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; |
But our sufficiency – Ability to walk contrary to the course of the world. R2123:3*
For a contest against the powers of darkness. R2005:3
Is of God – It is only as we become filled with the Spirit of God that we can do these things. R2123:3*
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthened me." (Phil. 4:13) R2123:4*
Our Lord is ready to deliver us and give us victory over the Evil One. R2005:3
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| 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. |
Hath made us – Our Lord's teaching, his ministry, were like the fullers' soap, the refiner's fire, purifying the sons of Levi, the consecrated Israelites indeed, the great Body of the Mediator, for its great work. R4595:6
Able ministers – Greek: diakonos; servants. F252; R4537:6, 4331:3; CR326:6; 436:4
A servant; not a lord--servants of the truth, of the Gospel. CR436:4
Qualified or efficient servants or messengers. R4595:2, 4681:1, 4592:5, 4474:5, 4435:4
Paul and Timothy and all true elders in the Church are deacons (servants) of God and of the New Testament--the New Covenant. F252
Every member of the Church of Christ is an authorized mouthpiece of the Lord. CR434:2
We are associated with Christ in the work which he is now carrying on, to wit, the work of gathering together the Lord's jewels all through the Gospel age. R4596:6, 4474:6
"Ambassadors for Christ," representing the heavenly Kingdom and its King of kings, our words and conduct are all done in the name of the Lord Jesus from the time we formally confess him. R3329:6
There are still Church members who unfold prophecies, some who serve as pastors, some who strengthen and support others, some who give of this world's goods. R365:5
There are limitations, but there are plenty of opportunities. CR437:1
The first service is to sacrifice. R4537:6
Dying with Christ for the sealing of the New Covenant. R4319:6
We may now be permitted to minister or serve, to the laying down of our lives, and thus be prepared to be ministers to the world in general. R4310:6, 5294:1
Jesus is the messenger or servant of the New Covenant, and each one of the Church now being called and chosen becomes an under servant and messenger of the New Covenant. R4474:5
We are ministers in the sense that we are serving it by training for future service--after it shall have been inaugurated. R5294:1, 4474:5
Ambassadors for God, explaining to men his provision of the New Covenant. R4332:2
We (the Body of Christ) already, before the coming of our glory, are authorized ministers of this New Covenant to every one who now has an ear to hear. R974:3
Christ and the Church will be the "able ministers" of the New Covenant when God's mercy will return to natural Israel under it. NS864:4
The Church are ministers of the New Covenant to the world as Moses was the minister of the Law Covenant to Israel. NS386:1
Antitype of the sacrificing priests and the teaching Levites who were the ministers of the Law Covenant. SM558:1
To every "Israelite indeed," it was only a small change to understand that their pledges under the Law to Moses were now transferred to Christ, the surety of the New Covenant which they engaged to serve. F434
Our acceptance will not mean Israel's everlasting loss, but they will be profited through the blessing of spiritual Israel. R4592:5
New testament – New Covenant. R4331:3, 4681:1, 4595:2
A Covenant of law and of works. R4332:4
Not that the New Covenant is in effect, but serving its interests. R4332:2
The Church is not under the New Covenant. R5294:1
Not one statement of Scripture identifies the New Covenant with the Gentiles. It is Israel's New Covenant given to displace the old Law Covenant. R4319:5
Making preparation for its inauguration. R4681:1; PT377:1*
The New Covenant is served by: (1) gathering the members of the Body, (2) learning and teaching to others the lessons necessary to qualify for the position, (3) preparing the blood with which it is to be sealed. R4496:4, 4474:5
Preparing it, carrying forward its various interests to present them to Israel and the world in due time. R4492:1, 4474:5
Paul and the other apostles and each of the Lord's faithful ones are ministers or servants of this New Covenant now. R4475:5; CR434:1
The early Church were mostly Hebrews. The Apostle's references to the New Covenant are almost exclusively in the epistle to the Hebrews. In Romans and Corinthians, he is teaching specific lessons to Gentiles. 4319:5
Not of the letter, but of the spirit – Now, the spirit of obedience or endeavor to observe God's law is all of which men are capable. A305
The New Covenant makes allowance for all the slips occasioned by our imperfections and takes cognizance of our efforts to discern and follow its spirit--its general disposition. R1404:4
We cannot preach to others nor keep the very letter of that perfect New Covenant, because of the present condition of imperfection, but we can conform as nearly as possible to its spirit. R974:3
We are qualified ministers of the New Covenant, not according to the letter of that Covenant, as it will operate during the Millennium, but according to its spirit, which now operates toward us through our Advocate. R4597:5
Not our letter or spirit, nor the letter or spirit of the Word; nor the letter or spirit of the Law, but the letter and spirit of the Covenant. R4595:2, 614:1
When the Kingdom is delivered up to the Father, all mankind will be capable of rendering perfect obedience, in letter as well as in spirit. A305
For the letter killeth – The absolute, strict, personal conformity to every jot and tittle of the Law, as required under the old Covenant. R1404:4, 614:6
The letter of that perfect New Covenant. R4597:5, 974:3
The full letter of God's perfect law would now condemn man to death at once. A305
The Jews were placed under the "letter" of the Law, and the world has witnessed its enforcement upon them. R812:4*
The only way that anything could be done to Israel's advantage would be to enter into a New Covenant through a new Mediator who would be able to make up for their deficiencies. R4595:3
The "figure," the "old" Covenant, was ministered "in letter." Even the letter of the gospel "came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the holy Spirit, and in much assurance." (1 Thes. 1:5) R1322:5*
It is not God's Word that kills, for his Word is the channel for communicating his will to men--for the minutest affairs of life, it furnishes principles, precepts and examples. R614:4
The tendency of seeing only the letter is killing. R67:3*
But the spirit giveth life – The spirit of obedience or endeavor to observe God's law. A305
Which is love. R614:5
The spirit of the New Covenant. R4597:5, 974:3
The manifest disposition to obey the Law, and the acceptance of the righteousness of Christ to supplement our deficiency. R1404:4
"The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Cor. 4:20) Neither the letter nor thf the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor. 3:17) R1322:5*
When that which is perfect is come, that which we can now fulfill only in spirit and intent, we then shall fulfill in letter, joyfully. R974:3
Showing the upward and downward tendencies of feeding on the two phases of truth. Paul draws a contrast between the Law and the gospel, between the letter and the spirit of the Old Testament. R692:5*
The Word is the voice of the Spirit. Since God's "two witnesses," the Old and New Testaments, were prepared, he has honored them, as the medium of his will. R614:1
The writings of Moses contain the gospel of the Son of God, as a shell contains a kernel. Both are real; each is valuable in its own place, for the purpose designed. The kernel is more valuable than the shell. R67:3*
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| 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: |
Ministration of death – Israel found it to be unto death. (Rom. 7:10) R4595:3
Referring to the Law Covenant because it did not give life to any who were under it. NS386:1; R974:2, 1322:6
Because man is unholy, unjust, bad, the Law has neither promise nor power of life in it. R1322:6*
The figure, the Old Covenant, in its sanctions, did not extend beyond the first death; the reality, in its sanctions, includes the second death. R1323:6*
Was glorious – "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." (Rom. 7:12) R1403:3, 1322:6*
The condemnation was glorious because through its execution infinite wisdom and love were seen providing a penalty, from which eternal life could be extracted. R192:1*
Could not stedfastly behold – As Moses put a veil over his face to hide the glory of his countenance, so fleshly Israel are still hindered from seeing anything more than the veil, the outward, the ceremonial. R2086:4
Was to be done away – Greek: katargeo; to render powerless, utter destruction. R2001:4
Transitory, typical. NS386:1
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| 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? |
The ministration of the spirit – The glorious New Jerusalem, the true Mount Zion, the city of the living God. R2035:5
Be rather glorious – Is an object of hope. R1323:4*
The glory that attended the setting up of the typical kingdom was nothing in comparison to that of the real Kingdom. R2035:5
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| 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. |
Ministration of condemnation – The Law Covenant, which ministered only condemnation to death to those under it. R1403:2, 1404:6, 238:5*
A chart compares the 1009 years from the Exodus to the overthrow of Zedekiah (the ministration of condemnation) with 1009 years from 1874 to the destruction of Satan (the ministration of righteousness). R3579:2*
Ministration of righteousness – The New Covenant in Christ. R1403:2, 238:5*
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| 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. |
The glory that excelleth – While Paul points us to the superior glory of the New Covenant, as yet only apprehended by faith, he reminds us of the glory of the old Covenant, and calls attention to the typical character of that glory. R1403:2
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| 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. |
Done away – Greek: katargeo; to render powerless, utter destruction. R2001:4
This refutes the Seventh Day Adventist understanding, that Christians are under the Mosaic Law. HG584:2*
Compare the Revised Version of this text with Matt. 5:18. HG584:2*
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| 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: |
We have such hope – When the "kings and priests of God" shall go out of the city "which has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it," they will need to wear a veil--a veil of flesh, to obscure their glory. (Rev. 21:23) HG34:3
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| 13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: |
As Moses – A type of the greater Law-giver and Mediator of the New Covenant, the entire Church, of which our Lord is the Head. B134; D630
Vail over his face – Seems to typify the earthly phase of the Kingdom, the "princes in all the earth" (Psa. 45:16) through whom the Christ w D630
Illustrating that when the glory of the Lord is revealed, the glory of the spiritual persons cannot be seen. B134
If Moses concocted the Law with the assistance of a heathen legend, he perpetrated a fraud at Mt. Sinai; but our Lord and the Apostle Paul believed the Old Testament's record of Moses. R3177:5
That which is abolished – "To those who are in Christ Jesus," there is now no further condemnation. (Rom. 8:1) R4619:4; Q729:1
It was the intention that the Law Covenant should not be perpetual; it is condemned, its passing away is arranged for. R4619:4; Q729:1
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| 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. |
Remaineth the same vail – The Law Covenant is still operating and is still a condemnation upon those who are under it. R4619:4
Untaken away in the reading of the old testament – The Lord Jesus is found even in the writings of Moses, but hidden by the letter as a veil from the unbelieving Jew and from all others who "cannot discern spiritual things." R21:2*
Which vail is done away in Christ – Greek: katargeo; done away, used in the sense of utter destruction. R2001:5
The whole Jewish nation will be granted an opportunity of transfer from the Law Covenant, under Moses, to the New (Law) Covenant, under the glorified Christ. R4619:5
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| 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. |
Even unto this day – The "veil" of prejudice still exists. R2605:2, 67:3*
The vail – Those who are only fleshly Israel are still hindered from seeing anything more than the veil--the outward, the ceremonial. R2086:4
The writings of Moses are largely allegorical. In addition to the literal they have a superior value, typical, representing the great plan of salvation. R67:2*
We should refrain from covering our hearts with the veil of prejudice. HG584:3*
Upon their heart – The veil which hides the liberation from this ministration of death is yet upon the heart of the Jew and the world. R812:5*
The "veil" of prejudice still exists, but it will be gradually taken away as the light of the Millennial morning dawns; nor should we be surprised to hear of many Jews coming to acknowledge Christ. R2605:2; HG387:4
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| 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. |
The vail shall be taken away – From the eyes of Israel after the flesh; after spiritual Israel has been changed. R2086:4
See Jer. 31:29-34. R812:5*
This same thought of the veil being ignorance and unbelief is given in Isa. 25:7. R154:1
"The blindness that has veiled with night the lost of Israel's fold, Will be replaced by Gospel light, when Gentile times are told." HG320:3
The veil of ignorance, pride and human wisdom which Satan now uses to becloud God's true plan of salvation. R2602:2
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| 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. |
Now the Lord – Jesus "changed," glorified. R4176:1
Whom "God has highly exalted and given a name above every name." (Phil. 2:9) E298; R4657:3, 4176:1; Q592:2
"Though we have known Christ after the flesh (yet) henceforth know we him (so) no more." (2 Cor. 5:16) E298; R3075:2, 2981:2, 1278:4; NS176:1, 32:6, 6:6
As our Lord was born from the dead a spirit being, he must have been previously begotten of the Spirit. E175; R5580:4, 4123:6, 1278:4
Is that Spirit – Greek: pneuma, he is now a powerful and invisible being. E175, E174
"That which is born of the spirit is spirit." (John 3:6) E175; R1278:4
"Put to death in the flesh he was quickened in spirit." (1 Pet. 3:18) R3075:2, 5580:4, 5222:2, 2981:2, 2478:4, 1278:4; Q592:2
Christ Jesus was resurrected to the spirit plane "far above angels, principalities and powers." (Eph. 1:21) R5025:5, 4994:5, 4176:1; Q592:2
It was at his resurrection that he became the second Adam--"the last Adam, a quickening spirit." (1 Cor. 15:45) R2981:2
The forty days following Jesus' resurrection were very necessary for teaching the Jewish disciples and all of the Lord's followers since the great lesson that he was no longer a man, but a spirit. R5579:2
The Lord manifested himself in various forms so that his followers would know he was raised from the dead to a different plane of existence. The second Adam is heavenly, not the earthly Jesus. R5237:5
In Luke 24:39, Jesus appeared to the eleven in a b now saw was not his spirit but a body used to prove he was alive again. R1995:6, 2478:4
Paul says he saw the Lord, not in the flesh, but shining "above the brightness of the sun at noonday." (Acts 26:13-15) There is no Scriptural R5222:2
The Lord is invisible to us, because in his resurrection he was changed, and instead of being, as before his death, the "man Christ Jesus," he is now the heavenly Lord. NS458:4
Our Lord is not a glorified man. R4155:1, 5579:1; Q592:2
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God." (I Cor. 15:50) R3075:2
Having taken the human nature for the purpose of giving himself a ransom for all, he is now raised to newness of life in his resurrection--the Lord of glory, shining like the noonday sun. NS88:6
The Savior laid down the life he was privileged to have. Nor did he ever take it back. He arose from the dead on the third day, perfected as a new creature--as a spirit-being. NS751:4; R4155:1
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19) cannot refer to Jesus' fl spirit-begotten new creature, the first of the glorified Church. R4123:6
"The beginning (of this new creation)." (Col. 1:18) R5580:4
He was the Church's forerunner; and Paul explains the Church's resurrection, "sown an animal body, raised a spirit body." (1 Cor. 15:44) R4994:5
The Church is not to expect that they will be what they now are, men, fleshly beings. We shall be like our Lord Jesus, who is no longer a man, no longer in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. HG366:5; Q592:2
Our expectations are, like those of the apostles, that we may be "changed" and made as he is, in order that we may see him as he is--not as he was at the first advent. NS6:6; Q592:2; E175
He is a manifestation or pattern to us of the spirit or disposition which we should have toward God's law. R1404:5
The Lord Jesus is the Spirit of the Word, the golden thread of revelation from end to end. R21:2*
There is liberty – Not bound by priestcraft, ignorance and superstition. R4005:1
The papal counterfeit kingdom employed every means that could be thought of to crush out the very spirit of true Christianity, and to substitute the spirit, doctrines, and forms of antichrist. B328, B329
The essence of all human religion and philosophy seems to be the bondage of the individual to the customs, the usages, of his forefathers. R4005:1
Christians are, of their own free will and choice, under the authority of Christ. R1738:4
The Apostle presents the duty of submission on the part of the wife, a submission which savors of love, reverence, trust and humility, compatible with "the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:21) R1553:4
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| 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. |
But we all – Hence, a strong inference that those who are not being so changed are not of the class addressed. R3655:6
With open face – Unveiled faces. R1404:6
With no intervening veil of prejudice or fear or superstition, but with simplicity of heart and mind. R3656:2
Beholding – May behold by faith. R1404:6
As in a glass – Even though but dimly. R2137:4
As reflected in the mirror of the Lord's Word and as exemplified in his living Word, Jesus Christ. R3656:2, 3040:5, 1404:6
The glory of the Lord – The grandeur of the divine character. F376
God is pleased to open the eyes of a small class at this time, that they may see the King in his beauty, by the eye of faith, looking through the telescope of God's Word. PD44/53
As revealed in this New Covenant. R1404:6
We wish to see the more glorious results of this more glorious law upon the hearts and lives of our brethren, especially as it was reflected in our great Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus. HG584:4*
Are changed – As new spiritual creatures we grow in his likeness. R200:3
As we get clearer views of Christ's glorious character and seek to copy it. R3031:4; F376
Daily and hourly. R548:5
A full transformation into a likeness of character to our heavenly Father should be the constant effort of every true child of God. R3655:3, 1404:6; OV424:5
This transforming of our characters is not instantaneous but gradual--in our minds, wills, hearts, characters--through justification, adoption, consecration, holiness, resurrection. R3040:5
The Church, God's new creation, is undergoing process of gradual transformation, not in the shape of the head, but in the sentiments of the heart. NS17:4
The Little Flock's resurrection will not be gradual. Their gradual change takes place in this present life, changing them from glory to glory into the likeness of God's dear Son. HG231:1
True to my profession, I will strive to realize a mastery over sin, able to distinguish some degree of advancement, according to 2 Pet. 1:4, 1 John 3:3, John 15:3, 17: R1628:5*
We are transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2), the beginning of the divi R371:1
Into the same image – The disposition of our Father and Elder Brother. R548:5
When the human mind is surrendered to God, it instantly, under the influence of his spirit of truth, begins to change into a holy or God-like mind. R370:6
One of the best methods for acquiring and cultivating important graces of the Christian character is to compare ourselves with our perfect pattern, and be "conformed to the image of his Son." (Rom. 8:29) R3537:6
Jesus makes good our deficiencies and develops our characters, fashioning us into his own glorious image. R5422:2, 3040:5
From glory to glory – From one stage of heart development to another, making the necessary progress to be ready for the final stage when we shall share his glory. R5727:3,4, 3040:5
Growing more and more like Christ. R3040:5
Into the likeness of our Lord. In the end, these overcomers will each be so grandly developed that the Lord will not be ashamed to confess any of them as his follower. R5669:4, 4132:5
"This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thes. 4:3); our full setting apart ofod work of transforming us into his own glorious likeness. R3655:6
The power of resurrection will come upon them suddenly, "in the twinkling of an eye." (1 Cor. 15:52) Their gradual change takeferings and self-sacrifices. HG231:1
Besides the molding, fashioning influences of the Spirit of God, the specially appointed means for our transformation is in the careful and constant contemplation of the glory of God. R3656:2, 3040:5
As new creatures in Christ, we are to be changed from glory to glory as in the image of the Lord--to become daily, hourly, as new creatures more like our pattern, our risen Head. NS336:4
We shall be satisfied thoroughly when we awake in his likeness (Psa. 17:15)--when the "change" of then as new creatures. R4132:5
Our object is to assist those who are striving to make sure their election by being conformed to the image of God's dear Son--changed from glory to glory of character by the Spirit of the Lord. HG359:6
Spirit of the Lord – The holy Spirit, or power, of God operating through his Word shall do this work in our hearts. SM585:T
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