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| 1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself. |
After these things – The third manifestation to his disciples, presumably three or four weeks after the Master's resurrection. R5052:1, 4183:2, 3905:4, 2806:1
Five weeks after the crucifixion. R941:2
The sixth manifestation of his resurrection. R4183:2
Our Lord's fifth manifestation, some would say, seventh. R2806:1
The delay was evidently for the purpose of testing the faith of the apostles and of leading them to reach a conclusion respecting their future work, which Jesus wished to correct. R5052:1
During this interval we may be sure that our Lord was frequently with the apostles in spirit, watching over their interests. R4183:2
Jesus shewed himself again – During the forty days it was his chief concern to gather them again and to reestablish their faith in him as the long-looked-for Messiah, by proving to them the fact of his resurrection. R940:6
Notice how our Lord gave his instructions--not all at once, hastily, but little by little, and in such manner as to make the deepest impressions. R940:6
At the sea of Tiberias – The journey to Galilee and the resumption of business presumably took another week. R5052:1
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| 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
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Simon Peter – The oldest of the disciples. R941:2, 3377:3
Nathanael – He whom Jesus termed "an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile," ( John 1:47) who, though not one of the apostles was one of the "brethren." R941:3
Commonly understood to be another name for Batholomew. R2572:1
The sons of Zebedee – James and John, the youngest of the disciples, had formerly been partners with Peter in the fishing business. R941:2
Two other – Probably Andrew and Philip. R941:3
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| 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. |
I go a fishing – At least two Sundays had passed without any further manifestation, and, giving up hope, they decided to return to the fishing business, and did so. R5052:1, 5670:1, 5588:6, 4183:2
They probably waited in expectation at Jerusalem over the third and possibly over the fourth Sunday. R2806:2
The death of our Lord was a great trial of faith to all the disciples. R3179:1
He wished the disciples to reach the extremity of thinking in order that they might be prepared to receive the instructions he had to give respecting their future course. R2806:3
The apostles became discouraged. They were about to leave the work of fishing for men. R5570:4, 5588:6, 4183:2
Some, who have been zealous for the colporteur work under much less favorable conditions than the present and the future, are going into worldly business. R5824:5
As active men, in the prime of life, they must be doing. R2806:2, B117
Go with thee – Speedily the partnership revived. They returned to Palestine and took possession of the ships and fishing tackle which they had abandoned three years before. R4183:3, 3377:1
How foolish they thought it would seem for them to convince the people that a man, crucified as a malefactor, was indeed the Messiah! How foolish it would seem to tell of his resurrection! R5052:2, 941:3
How could they tell others of their hopes in a King who had been crucified, and whom they, although he was risen, could no longer see nor point out to others? R2806:2
They had left all to follow him, but now they could no longer follow him. Everything was changed when he was changed, so far as they could see. R2806:2
Probably the rest also turned again to their old employments. B117
They went forth – Who can doubt that the Lord was among them often whilst they were preparing, and that he had all things arranged which would make this a valuable lesson. R941:3, B117
They caught nothing – By miraculous power exercised in some manner unknown to us, he hindered fish from going into their nets that night. R2806:3
If they should have great success and become swallowed up with interest in the business, they would soon be unfit for the higher service, so the Lord taught them the lesson that the success or failure of our efforts in any direction he can control if he please. R941:3; B118
It looked indeed as though God was punishing them for the course they had taken in becoming disciples of Jesus. Everything was going wrong. R5052:2, 4183:3, 2806:4; NS197:3
We know not what is for our highest welfare. Sometimes those things which we crave and desire to grasp, considering them to be good, might really be to our disadvantage. R2806:4
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| 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. |
Knew not – He was in another form. R262:3, 3377:2; NS197:4
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| 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat?
They answered him, No. |
Jesus saith unto them – He would demonstrate he had a mission for them to perform in connection with the fishing for men which they had not accomplished, and which his death and resurrection would not interfere with. R2806:3
Have ye any meat? – Any fish for sale. R5052:2, 2806:4
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| 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.
They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. |
On the right side – They felt that such a change would be unavailing, because the boat was small anyway and continually turning, and what was one side now would be the other side shortly. NS197:5; R3377:2
To all who have a talent for teaching, and who see the truth clearly, we suggest you become fishers of men and women rather than of children; and fish for the consecrated in Christ Jesus. R534:1
They cast therefore – So humbled were they by their disappointment that they did not stop to argue the question. R2806:5
The multitude of fishes – A prophecy of their success as fishers of men. They were to catch multitudes. The prophecy has been amply verified in the long fishing season of the Gospel age. R1716:1
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| 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. |
Disciple whom Jesus loved – Specially loved. R1254:4
Jesus loved all mankind to the extent that he "tasted death for every man." (Heb. 2:9) But among men he had his special loves. R439:1, 1254:5
Quick and impressionable. B118; R941:4
It was the loving John who first realized that the miracle implied that the stranger on the shore was the Lord. R4183:3, 3377:5
It is the Lord – John remembers the feeding of the multitudes, the strange days in which they were living, and that Jesus had appeared to them already. R262:3, 122:5; B118
Though, since his resurrection, we cannot recognize him by his appearance. He now appears in a variety of forms; but we know each time that it is he by some peculiar circumstance. B118
They knew instinctively that the unknown stranger was none other than their Master. They remembered a very similar experience at the time they were first called to leave their nets. R5052:3, 4714:1
Brethren, the Lord only could do this. Don't you remember that it was just so when he first called us--we had labored all night and caught nothing until he told us, "Let down your nets for a draught." (Luke 5:4-9) R941:4
Simon Peter – Whose heart still burned as he remembered the Lord's words, and perhaps as he remembered also his own weaknesses. R2806:5
Cast himself into the sea – Fearing that the Master would disappear, even before he could get to him. R5052:3, 3377:3, 2806:6
His impetuous, ardent temperament, while it yet overflowed with love for the Master, was constantly a great disadvantage to him. R628:5*
Peter evidently was timid when he reached the land and waited and helped to pull the net full of fish to the shore. R4183:5
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| 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. |
Other disciples came – They hastened to the shore, more anxious to meet him than to care for the fish they had caught. NS197:5
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| 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. |
Fish laid thereon – The Lord gave them evidences that all success depended on him, that without him they could do nothing. They toiled all night, but caught nothing. In the morning Jesus was on the shore with the fish already cooked. R5824:5
He had power not only to give them fish in the ordinary way, but to provide cooked fish by miraculous power if it better served his purpose to do so. R2806:6, 5589:1
Demonstrating in a most practical manner that the divine power by which he had hitherto provided for their necessities, and had at times fed multitudes, was still his. R2806:3
While we have no objection to those who claim they have better health as a result of a vegetable diet, we do object to the claim of special sanctity and acceptableness with God on account of this diet. R3098:3
Some say that animal foods are proper enough for common people, but not for believers who have entered "the resurrected life." Twice, at least, Jesus ate fish after his resurrection. (Luke 24:41-43) R1855:6
And bread – They learned the lesson that, under his direction and care, they would not be left to starve. B119; R941:5
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| 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
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Jesus saith – There is no indication that on this occasion our Lord appeared with marks in his hand or his feet or his side. R4183:5, 2806:6
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| 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. |
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| 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.
And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. |
Come and dine – Our Lord, while dismissing the self-satisfied, fault-finding quibbles of the Pharisees with dark or evasive answers, took time and care in making truth clear and plain to the humble, earnest seekers. B27
Who art thou? – They were so sure that it was he that they could not think of even seeking to question the fact by inquiry. R2806:6, 5052:3
Knowing – Feeling sure from the miracle, for they saw not the print of the nails. R262:3, 5052:3, 2806:6, 122:5
For on this, as on other occasions, the eyes of their understanding being opened, they knew him though he had "another form," different from the one they had been used to seeing before he died. B119; R941:5, 262:3, 122:5
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| 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. |
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| 14 This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. |
The third time – His manifestations to the women on the morning of the resurrection, and later to the two as they went to Emmaus, are not counted--only counting his appearance in the upper room, and later to Thomas as well. R5052:1
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| 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
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When they had dined – It was in connection with the eating of natural food that twice our Lord made himself known to the disciples. Probably both were on the first day of the week. Is it any wonder, then, that they formed the habit of gathering on "the first day of the week" to "break bread"? R1787:1, 1421:2, 1014:2, 840:1
It is not probable that they ate in silence, yet their conversation is not recorded, except that none of the disciples felt at liberty to inquire if it were the Lord, confident that it was he. R4183:5, 2806:6
Simon – His old name; possibly an intimation that he had not manifested in the last few days the rock-like qualities implied in his surname, and was now inclined to leave the work for the Church for secular business. R2806:6
While the Lord addressed Peter specially, the instructions were for all the "eleven," and applicable, though not in the same degree, to all ministers of the truth today. R2808:2, 3377:3
More than these – These boats and nets pertaining to the fishing business. R5052:3, 4183:6, 3377:3, 2806:6, 1824:1, 941:6; NS197:5
He may have meant more than these nets and boats, or more than these other disciples. R4183:6
Not the other disciples, but his fishing tackle and business prospects. R1823:6, 941:6
Once, in obedience to the Lord's call, he had left these to follow him, and then he went back to the old business. R1824:1
It was as though he had said, Are you willing again, Simon, in the face of all the public prejudice and hate, to leave your business and social prospects and go and preach the Kingdom? R1824:1
The same question is addressed to every consecrated follower of the Lord. Lovest thou me more than the business pursuits and prospects, social ties and pleasures, ease, fame, wealth, a good name, or any earthly good? R1824:4, 4184:2, 2808:6
He will have in that select Little Flock only such as love him supremely--more than they love houses or lands, husbands or wives, or children, or any earthly thing. (Matt. 10:37) R2808:6, 942:1
It is necessary that we have more or less contact with the world, business, home duties and social amenities. The question is how to balance them with our duties toward the Lord. R2808:6
Many of the Lord's professed followers today fish for earthly things: for money, or influence, or a great name, or self-gratification, or some thing of the sort. R942:3
I love thee – Our Lord used the word agapao for love, while Peter used a different word, phileo, supposed to signify a warm, personal affection. R4183:6
I affectionately love thee. He used a word expressing fondness of love. R5052:4
Peter thus states his personal attachment and devotion to the Lord, but refrains from claiming the highest love for which our Lord inquired. R2807:2
This humility was an excellent sign, showing Peter had learned a needed lesson and had ceased to boast, but rather to fear his own weakness. R2807:2
Feed my lambs – The Lord used three different Greek words in his three exhortations: the first time he exhorts to feed the lambs; the second time to care for the sheep; the third to feed the weak or delicate sheep. R2808:1
This gives us three views of the Lord's flocks: the young, the beginners, the lambs who need the "milk of the Word;" (1 Pet. 2:2) the more mature sheep who need guidance and direction; and the weak sheep, weak in faith, who are to be fed and cared for. R2808:1
These three classes of the Lord's flock are to be found today: the young, the advanced and strong, and the weak and delicate who need special assistance. R2808:2
The lambs and sheep make one flock, and there is but one Shepherd, who superintends and cares for all. "Feed my lambs!" "Feed my sheep!" Was this not saying: Neglect no part--Feed the flock? R118:3*
My little sheep. R4183:6, 2807:1
While the babes in Christ, because of their very feebleness and inexperience, have much special care bestowed upon them, it is not the will of God that they should always remain babes. R3622:1, 1568:1
The "lambs" should be fed until they become "sheep." R5052:5
A partial restoration of Peter to the work of ministry. R4183:6
Although not directly reproving Peter, intimating that by his mistake and denial he had forfeited his place as one of the apostles and indirectly implying that he might not be a full shepherd amongst the sheep. R4184:1
Two reasons have led to neglect of feeding with "the doctrines of Christ"--a misconception that now is the time for the world's conversion, and the error that eternal torture is the doom of the unconverted. R5052:6
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| 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
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Feed my sheep – "Tend my sheep." R5052:4, 4184:1
Care for, serve, the sheep. R4184:1
The sheep should be tended, cared for, guided, instructed. R5052:5
Give your thought, attention and care to them, rather than to these fishing implements and boats. R2807:1
Not yet the full liberties of shepherding. R4184:1
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| 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
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The third time – The third time must have sent the memory of Peter back to the scene in Caiaphas' Judgment Hall, when he denied his Master the third time, even with cursing. R5052:4, 4184:1, 2807:1, 941:5
Thrice had Peter denied the Lord, and now thrice would the Lord have him reaffirm his devotion to him, and receive three additional assurances of his ample reinstatement in his love and favor. R1823:3
The three inquiries our Lord made of Peter were the only rebukes ever given him as punishment for his denial of our Master. We might have felt it necessary to make him humbly apologize first. R5053:4, 2807:6
Let us learn well this lesson of reproving others very gently, by a hint rather than by a direct charge, by an enquiry respecting their present heart condition, rather than respecting a former condition, in which we know that they have erred. R2807:6
Lovest thou me? – Are you sure that you have even the duty love, Peter? R2807:2
Here Jesus uses the same word that Peter had used, as though he questioned the affection and depth of Peter's love. R5052:4
It began to imply to poor Peter that the tendency with him was to love and serve business more than Christ. R941:5
When our Lord said "lovest" in the first two inquiries, he used the word agapas, which signified love in its most disinterested form. Now he uses phileis, duty love, obligatory love of relatives, even where the deeper love is lacking. R2807:1
Peter was grieved – He felt remorse. R941:5
The one most praiseworthy trait in Peter's character was his perseverance inspired by his ardent love. If he made a misstep, he was just as quick to realize it and to retrace it. R628:5*
To feel that there was possibly a shadow of doubt between him and the Lord which his repentance had not fully removed. R1824:1
Thou knowest all things – Thou knowest my weakness. He immediately threw himself upon the Lord's mercy. R941:5
I love thee – I would not send thee on such an important mission did I not know thy love supreme for me and mine. And all thus sent I will endue with power from on high. R628:6*
Peter was sifted, and almost failed; but, being "clean," true at heart, he was enabled to come off victorious. C189
Feed my sheep – Make that, not fishing, your business. R941:5
With this third confession our Lord restored him fully as a bishop or shepherd, authorized not only to feed the lambs and tend the sheep, but finally to feed the sheep also. R4184:1
Specially reaffirming Peter's commission. R1522:4
Peter: I called you once to be a fisher of men, and, knowing your heart to be still loyal and zealous, I renew your commission as a fisher of men. B119
Had Peter continued in the fishing business and neglected the sheep, his actions would have contradicted his reply. This would have been loving in word, but not in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18) R941:6
The sheep should be fed with stronger meat than that which the lambs could appropriate. R5052:5
In harmony with these words, the chief work of his followers has been to minister to the needs of the spirit-begotten sheep. R5052:4, 5670:4
It is in the service of the Church, our fellow sheep, that we are to sacrifice present interests. As Christ laid down his life for us, we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16) R942:3
So he says to all his followers. Not that we can have the place of apostles, but that each of us may find opportunities for tending and assisting, feeding, nourishing the flock of God. R4184:3
It is proper, nevertheless, that each one for himself provide things decent and honest in the sight of all in a temporal way, and also give attention to his own spiritual feeding and refreshment. R4184:3
Paul, addressing the elders of Ephesus, counseled that they "feed the flock of God, which he had purchased with the blood of his own Son." (Acts 20:28) R5052:5
Whoever is heedless of the sheep should not in any sense of the word be recognized as an elder, a leader. R4184:3
Do not offer as an excuse for not feeding the sheep, that there are others more capable of feeding them. This is not the language of love. The loving servant inquires, Lord, how much can I do? R942:2
As for Peter and his denial, and as to offenses which may come to us, we may know that some corrective discipline always follows, but we are not to attempt to inflict these penalties, nor to impress a condemnation. R2808:1
Sending them forth with joy to prove their love by their works. R1824:4
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| 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
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Thou shalt be old – Not a very bright prospect to hold out before Peter; it meant a further testing of his loyalty. R4184:4
There is a touching tenderness in the epistles of the aged Apostle Peter, showing that, while he realized that the time of his departure was drawing nigh, his solicitude for the growth and development of the Church was increasing. R3215:1
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| 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
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What death – A violent death. R4184:5
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| 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? |
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| 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? |
What – It seems to be a trait of human nature to think of companionship, even in trouble, and many, like Peter, have wondered why they should have trials different from those which come upon others of the Lord's flock. R2808:1
This man – John, who in some measure or degree, represents the last living members of the "little flock." R4870:1, 4185:1, 2808:5, 980:2, 581:6, 528:6*, 473:5, 293:5
The things which happened to John are the things which have happened or will happen to the Church. R4185:1
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| 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
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That he tarry – John did not tarry, but a class whom he in some respects illustrated has tarried, a class who see with the eyes of their understanding the visions and revelations that John saw in symbols, in a trance. R4870:1
What is that to thee? – Our Lord's refusal to answer may be considered rather in the light of a reproof to Peter and a lesson to us all. R2808:4
Almost curt; amounting to, Mind your own business and you will have plenty to do, though it was stated in a more polite form. R4184:5
If we allow ourselves to wonder why some fellow-disciple is apparently not receiving the same amount of chastisements or trials, if we become judge of the Lord and his providences, the result will be disastrous to ourselves. R4184:5
Applying this lesson to ourselves, some are disposed to query as to how long they must wait for their resurrection change. Let us leave the entire matter to the Lord. R4185:1
If the harvest work is under the Lord's supervision at all, the Lord is responsible, and not we, and can be trusted to accomplish his own ends in his own best way. R4067:2
Follow thou me – Referring not merely to a spiritual following, but he walked along the shore of the sea, the disciples following. R2808:4
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| 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? |
Then went this saying – The saying has gone abroad and has been generally received that this part of the Church will not die. R473:5, 293:5
Illustrating the dangers of oral tradition. R434:5*
Yet Jesus said not – It was purely an inference on the part of the disciples. R2808:5
He shall not die – The fact is that he outlived all the other apostles. R4185:1
Tarry till I come – Neither Jesus nor the apostles said we should not die, but that we would tarry till the Master's presence and be changed in a moment and not sleep. R473:5, 293:5
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| 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. |
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| 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. |
And there are also – This is one of the few verses in our common English Bible which is really not part of the Bible proper (from the apostles). This was added by unknown parties between the fifth and tenth centuries. R1536:6, 1314:3, 278:2, 207:1, 62:6; F202; Q325:T; CR245:6
What a whopper! Somebody who wanted to make it large, felt at liberty to add that verse without any authority. Q325:T
When copying by pen, the transcribers frequently made a parenthetical note of their thought upon the subject. These notes were mistaken by subsequent copyists for parts of the inspired texts. R62:6
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