Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love and sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is God’s will that has brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my heart, mind, and soul to be shared with my hands, but with His words alone.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current list.
- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings who has been suffering greatly with his health. He is having serious issues with back pain due to the cold and an old injury. May the Lord bring his spirits up and help heal him.
- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has a malignant meningioma.
- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being.
Two who have traveled a long way from their current home to their family’s home for the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US.
One who continues receiving rehabilitation after a stroke.
One who has been working with cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack a month or so ago.
Another pair who have had serious issues with pain levels in recent weeks and months. May their pain ease sooner rather than later.
Three friends who have lost loved ones in the past week.
- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel and overly high demand.
- Pray for those who will be choosing candidates soon for the state of Georgia here in the US, that they choose wisely with knowledge of the issues and the stance of each candidate.
- Pray for those who have suffered from violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches and that those who have lost their loved ones to violence find peace in the face of fear.
- Pray for those who are in the path of the next winter storms out.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what
tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and
pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those suffering as a result of the terrors that have occurred just this past week around this world.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is to have the Spirit bring health and healing to each of our bodies, minds, spirits, and souls. We pray for those who are in battle on the other side of the world. We pray for those who are recovering from all views of illness or disease. We thank You for the many awe inspiring gifts and the many more You have brought us. May our fears be drawn out of us. Help us to see the many gifts Your love brings and the unknown locations it might be found. May our pain and sorrow be eased. May peace be brought from our hearts and shared with others. May Your gifts of love shine through us toward others. We pray for the homeless, the survivors of the latest hurricanes and tropical storms. We pray for the poor, the sick, the sorrowful, the wounded, and the frightened. We pray for the soldiers, the Samaritans, the children, and the rest. We pray in thanksgiving for every gift brought us. We pray that every tomorrow would bring good things. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Give Thanks ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_7wUR2Wdg&list=PL614A115BF39E5936&index=120
Sermon: This week we are beginning the study of the fifth chapter in 1 Thessalonians. Paul is offering guidance for when the moment of the Second Coming would arrive. No man, woman, or child, will know that moment easily. It will not arrive with the sound of trumpets as though a nation’s leader would be entering the room. It will not have all the pomp and circumstance we see so often in this world today. This is what Paul is sharing with the members of the church at Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 KJV –But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
NIV –Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
We all are waiting for that moment when time as we know it ends. We hope for that moment where we are able to walk into the paradise that is eternal life. As we get nearer and nearer to the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth, this is a thought on every true Christian’s mind. All of the Apostles and Disciples mentioned this factor, and we see that in these verses, including some in the Lord Jesus Christ’s words as well.
Acts 1:7 KJV – And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
NIV – He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Matthew 24:3-8 KJV – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
NIV – As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:36-42 KJV – But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
NIV – “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Mark 13:30-32 KJV – Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
NIV – Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
There is so much to learn from the Word as shared by our Savior Jesus Christ. Paul proves that time and again through all of his letters to the various churches through Italy, Asia Minor, Greece, and, at this point, around the whole world. His letters bring us more and more to think about, methods to adjust our actions and reactions in this world. Again, Paul is reflecting on lessons taught by Jesus Himself as we hear in this next verse of the letter to the church at Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV –For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
NIV –for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Again we see reflections from the Word as shared by Jesus in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 21:34 KJV – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
NIV – “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
So often we need to remind ourselves to stop everything, reading, writing, anything and everything else we could be doing, and remember there is a reason to study the Word. There is a reason to reflect on it, and to practice sharing it with others around us. The time we have is an opportunity to portray faith in ways that we might not realize are beneficial to each of those around us and ourselves as well. We see this task portrayed in several different ways through the letters written by Paul, and those in the writing of John the Beloved as the Revelation.
1 Corinthians 1:8 KJV –Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV –He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:3 KJV – Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
NIV – Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Revelation 16:15 KJV – Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
NIV – “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Humanity cannot predict the future. We cannot do so because the ability to foretell the future is solely in the hands of God Himself. All of those who claim the ability would be as the soothsayers spoken about in Scripture. It is much like the fable of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. This is another warning as shared by the Apostle Paul.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 KJV –For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
NIV –While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
We see this reflection through several of the Old Testament Scrolls. Here are some examples from Job and King David.
Job 15:21 KJV – A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
NIV – Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him.
Psalm 35:8 KJV – Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
NIV – may ruin overtake them by surprise—may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Psalm 55:15 KJV – Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
NIV – Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.
Psalm 69:22 KJV – Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
NIV – May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap.
Paul points out that there are so many who have no true idea of the power of God and the amount of faith and compassion shared as we reflect on the gifts our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provided for all who are willing to lay down their burdens at the foot of the cross and follow Him. Paul proves that there is a reason to continue on, even in the midst of all this chaos this world goes through every hour of every day.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 KJV –But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
NIV –But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
Paul again reflects on the memories he held of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. We see his influences in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, and Luke’s continued writing in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 10:15 KJV – Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
NIV – Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Luke 21:34 KJV – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
NIV – “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
Acts 26:17-18 KJV – Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
NIV – I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Every person who willingly studies, shares, observes the Scriptures does what all the Apostles instructed, even two thousand years later. Whether it is a single verse each day, or a whole chapter each week? We are doing as Jesus taught and as God has pointed out many times throughout Scripture. There is a reason to pursue our study of the Word, and Paul shares that here.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 KJV –Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
NIV –You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
We see this thought reinforced in the supporting thoughts from the gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles and John the Beloved.
Luke 16:8 KJV – And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
NIV – “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
Acts 26:18 KJV – To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
NIV – to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
1 John 2:8 KJV –Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
NIV –Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
We have all had our share of sleepless nights. Many of us wish to have uninterrupted sleep if at all possible. The fact that we continue to seek salvation, even in the midst of dreams we may not consciously remember, gives us that small amount of incentive to continue learning and sharing in God’s Word. This is what Paul is sharing here.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 KJV –Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
NIV –So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
Paul again refers back to his other letters to the churches at Rome, Ephesus, and also with Peter.
Romans 3:11 KJV – There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
NIV – there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
Ephesians 2:3 KJV – Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
NIV – All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
1 Peter 1:13 KJV –Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
NIV – Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Many times over our lifetimes we have had those moments where we feel we’ve failed in something. This is not an unusual thought. However, it’s something we should use as a lesson to change strategies. For instance, there are those who suffer from insomnia, and other issues that deprive them of sleep. We eat, we drink, we work, we study, we pray, and we play. Yet, in order to be able to do all of these well, our bodies and minds require rest, sleep, real sleep. Paul points out the importance of real rest in regard to our faith. These are things we should all pay attention to.
1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 KJV –For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
NIV –For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
Paul adds insight to this thought through these references in his letter to the church at Rome, as well as the church at Ephesus.
Romans 13:12 KJV – The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
NIV – The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 5:18 KJV – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
NIV – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 6:14-17 KJV – Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
NIV – Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Salvation is the single most important element of the entire existence of Jesus Christ. It is that element which we all must work with every part of us to reach. Jesus promised that those who followed His light would achieve eternal life, the ultimate view of salvation. In this letter that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, here we see his emphasis on that single most important element.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 KJV –For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
NIV –For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
Again Paul reflects on his letters to the other churches and to members of those churches, including the church at Rome and also Timothy.
Romans 14:8-9 KJV – For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
NIV – If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
2 Timothy 2:10-11 KJV – Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
NIV – Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
There are difficult times ahead for too many of us in this world. Yet, if we work hard to prepare for those tough moments, we will fare better in the long run. Paul points out that, even if we have a billion or more obstacles in the way, there are methods to overcome them. This should be comforting to all of us, and encouraging as well. That’s what he shares here.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 KJV –Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
NIV –Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
There are many ways we can encourage each other in this world. Whether it is in preparation for school studies, or sports related, or just something new to try, each of us has the ability to encourage others in those pursuits. Each person has a diverse number of talents, some of them only a little, others in abundance. That is also something that Jesus taught. Every talent is worth something more than a passing glance. Every ability is the same. These abilities are God-given and should be celebrated. There by the grace of God, as Paul often said in his letters as shared in these supporting verses from the letters to Corinth and Ephesus as well as in the letters written by Jude and Timothy.
1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV –But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
NIV – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
2 Corinthians 12:19 KJV – Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
NIV –Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
Ephesians 4:29 KJV – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
NIV – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Jude 1:20 KJV – But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
NIV – But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
1 Timothy 5:17 KJV –Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
NIV –The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Faith without works is death, this is what Jesus taught. We have to combine the faith we have while pursuing the mission Jesus left us with. There is more to life than studying the Word. There is more to faith than study, a whole lot more. If we fail to share the Word, from Genesis to Revelation, then we are not pursuing faith as Jesus would. It’s a hard lesson for some, and also sometimes the toughest road we travel down. This is what Paul wants people to realize. The easy way isn’t the best way. Jesus is the only way.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 KJV –And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
NIV –Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
We end our sermon today with the importance of faith in a setting where others are surrounding us and celebrating in that same faith. We see this shared in many ways throughout Scripture. Paul is referring back to the prophet Isaiah and also the word of our Savior Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark.
Isaiah 35:4 KJV – Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
NIV – say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Mark 9:50 KJV – Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
NIV – “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
We are nearing the American tradition of Thanksgiving this week. It is a time where sugar and spice are everywhere. Remember, all of us need to think outside the box, not be blocked into one. There are many ways our faith can show. This is a proven fact by many of the truly faithful Christians in this world. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying:
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Song: Thank You ~ Ray Boltz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y&list=PL614A115BF39E5936&index=16
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist Calvin Jennings
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright ©circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2022 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the bringers of the light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.
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