https://youtu.be/JWWkw2nwiMc?list=PLAV7hQToHN7TRDKbJNMePsR8gj92Rdigb
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live 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.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube
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 keep Evangelist Cal Jennings and his sister in prayer as sometimes every day is a challenge for them whether rehabilitating or just living day to day.
- Pray for the war torn countries of Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine at this time.
- Pray for the victims of kidnapping and murder by Hamas.
- Pray for the victims of the many shootings around this world this past week.
- 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.
Several who are having money issues of varying degrees.
One who has had all forms of chaos in their lives including a recent surgery for one of their children and household situations that have been more than a challenge of late.
A whole family needs prayer and understanding in a rift that has caused so much mental and spiritual stress and confusion that it affects their daily lives.
There are a few who are having chronic ongoing health issues, and diseases including cancer for several of them.
One who is continually suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.
One cousin is having a great many issues in their family include several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.
Our uncle has been in the hospital in ICU and other places suffering from cancer and having issues with his lungs, breathing, and more. I haven’t had any updates as yet.
- 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 comfort and solace to be shared with those who have said farewell to a loved one this week, known or unknown.
- 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 who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and hope.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
* Birthday greetings to my sister-in-law Allison, whose birthday was on Halloween.
* Birthday greetings for my granddaughter, Maria who celebrated her 4th birthday and with her Nana, Suzanne who celebrates her birthday the same day, November 1st.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we are here to praise Your love and the gifts you have bestowed upon us. We are thankful for each day that we awaken to greet Your hope and more. We bring our families, friends, colleagues, and all those who need prayer up to You right now. Bring faith, patience, and more to those who need it. We bring our sick and wounded up to You for healing and solace from Your glory and grace. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Shall We Gather at the River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1qnjd23YQM
Sermon: Today we are continuing our study of the tenth chapter in the scroll of Romans. Paul continues teaching the citizens of the church at Rome with sage, tried, and true historical recollection of the prophets of Israel as they taught, preached, and prepared the people of their homeland. We’ll start here.
Romans 10:15 KJV – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
NIV – And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Paul is almost literally repeating the Great Commission as shared by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. For those who don’t recognize the title of these verses they are as follows from the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So, what does Paul want us to realize? Each of us who is a true believer should be willing to share our belief in God and Jesus with those around us. Whether they accept God and our Savior Jesus Christ’s guidance is purely up to them. This is a gift, in and of itself. God doesn’t want little automatons that parroted His Word back to Him. He wants all of us to believe of our own free will. Paul draws reference from the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Nahum.
Isaiah 40:9 KJV – O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
NIV – You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
Isaiah 52:7 KJV – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
NIV – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 57:19 KJV – I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.
NIV – creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Isaiah 61:1 KJV – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
NIV – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Jeremiah 23:32 KJV – Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.
NIV – Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord.
Nahum 1:15 KJV – Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
NIV – Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
Paul also draws reference from our Savior Jesus Christ’s own words as shared here in the gospel of Matthew, and also the observations of the gospel writer Luke and in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 9:38 KJV – Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
NIV – Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 10:1-6 KJV – And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
NIV – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
Luke 2:10 KJV – And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
NIV – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Luke 2:14 KJV – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
NIV – “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Acts 10:36 KJV – The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
NIV – You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Paul, of course, links to his own letter to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 6:15 KJV – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
NIV – and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
It is a challenge, to say the least, to teach people something that goes against everything they’ve ever known. It doesn’t matter the age of the person or people being taught, either. This is what Paul faced, head on, throughout all of his letters as shared to the many fledgling churches all over the world that was known at the time. This is the focus on the question he poses for the church at Rome right here.
Romans 10:16 KJV – But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
NIV – But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
Faith and belief, and the pursuit of them, would be everywhere in Scripture. Paul is focusing on specific locations in Scripture, including the prophet Isaiah. He adds to this with the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved. In the Gospel of Matthew we hear from Jesus Himself.
Isaiah 53:1 KJV – Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
NIV – Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Matthew 13:14 KJV – And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
NIV – In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
John 10:26 KJV – But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
NIV – but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
John 12:38-40 KJV – That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
NIV – This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.”
Paul makes an interesting connection for those who cannot connect the way he and the eleven other Apostles could in first person points of view. In this case he shares what faith should possess. In all cases, faith should be known as being beyond what you see right in front of your face. Believing in God and Jesus has absolutely no reliance upon sight. Believing is reliant on your mind, spirit, heart, and soul. Profession of faith, we hear these three words together quite a lot in Christian circles in this world, and these three words are echoed in every single letter Paul wrote. We see more of this in this next line of the letter to the church at Rome.
Romans 10:17 KJV – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
NIV – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Faith is something that we have to build up. As Jesus said in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Matthew 17:20, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Now, note this, faith may only need to be small in significance to begin with, but it grows as fast and as far as a whole field of mustard seed. We see some of these steps in the viewpoints of Job and Jeremiah.
Job 42:5 KJV – I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
NIV – My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
Jeremiah 23:28-29 KJV – The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
NIV – Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
Jesus also adds to this with the Word as He shared with His Apostles in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 8:11 KJV – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
NIV – “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:21 KJV – And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
NIV – He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Luke 16:29-31 KJV – Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
NIV – “Abraham
replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them,
they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will
not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
That's a foreshadowing of Jesus. That's what Jesus is saying and referring to what God had said to Abraham. Paul adds to this with a reference from the writings of the Hebrew prophets.
Hebrews 4:2 KJV – For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
NIV – For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Understanding what was going on with the earliest Christians takes our incorporating a lot of history. Rome and other countries and kingdoms throughout the extents of Asia Minor, in what are now Italy, Greece, Turkey, and all those countries in between were involved. Paul was in hiding far, far from any and all of those locations. Every one of the Apostles had prices on their heads. All those who associated with them would also be at risk of serving time in prison, suffering crucifixion, beheading, and all sorts of other methods toward death and destruction. Paul portrays the view of the spread of Christianity as a slow, effective, and penetrating expansion of faith developed by the Word as shared by our Savior Jesus Christ. This is what Paul shares in this next verse.
Romans 10:18 KJV – But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
NIV – But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
The act of hearing requires actively listening with all your mind, heart, spirit, soul, all together as one. This is something I’ve watched over the years and seen others who have learned through me, or through others who I have listened to and shared with. It is a challenge to actively listen and choose to hear what is being said, whether it is Scripture shared in the church with people in the pews, or your average classroom full of students in school. We see what it means to listen and hear as shared in the historical view of the Kings of the Jews.
1 Kings 18:10 KJV –As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
NIV –As surely as the Lord your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you.
Psalms 19:4 KJV – Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
NIV – Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
There are more points of view as shared by the gospel writer Matthew in his portrayal of the Word as shared by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:14 KJV – And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
NIV – And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Paul adds to this with the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and also his first letter to the church at Thessalonica.
Acts 1:8 KJV – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
NIV – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 Thessalonians 1:8 KJV –For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
NIV –The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
Long ago, Sir Francis Bacon once said these three words: “Knowledge is power.” There is quite a bit of truth in those three little words. This is something Jesus portrayed everywhere He went. It’s why His Word spread far and wide and still does to this very day.
Romans 10:19 KJV – But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
NIV – Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
Many times God was angry with what the Israelites' did. Many times there was war between His people and others. This is very, very pertinent even today, as we see what war is doing to Israel and Palestine and the surrounding countries. Paul worries for God’s people. This is exactly how God feels about His people. In this world today, that includes every single person who believes. With the insecurity between the holy nation of Israel and the rest of this world every person is rightfully on edge. However, if we deepen our faith and continue to believe, we will find peace with God even in the midst of all of this chaos. Paul reflects on the circumstances he was in at the time with the Romans and the Jews as well. He brings references from the Torah, the Prophetic Scrolls, his first letter to Corinth, and Peter’s first letter as well.
Deuteronomy 32:21 KJV – They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
NIV – They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.
Isaiah 44:18-20 KJV – They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
NIV – They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Hosea 2:23 KJV – And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
NIV – I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
1 Corinthians 1:12 KJV –Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
NIV –What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
1 Peter 2:10 KJV –Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
NIV –Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Our last verse from this chapter of Romans today shares how Paul feels regarding Esaias, or Isaiah.
Romans 10:20 KJV – But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
NIV – And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
The prophetic consideration of Isaiah’s words would pertain to our Savior Jesus Christ. We humans often don’t really know what we are looking for in life. Everyone’s heard the phrase “going through the motions” and we all have probably said those words out loud at one time or another. Paul realizes that those who are listening to his letters are looking for something that holds meaning in their daily lives but also is brand new every time we hear it. Here are the parts of Scripture that helped influence Paul through this letter to the church at Rome.
Proverbs 28:1 KJV – The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
NIV – The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Isaiah 58:1 KJV – Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
NIV – “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
Isaiah 65:1-2 KJV – I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
NIV – “I revealed myself to those who did not
ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways
not good, pursuing their own imaginations—
These final words from the prophet Isaiah are very, very poignant in the fact that they reflect in the words of our Savior Jesus Christ. If you want to build your faith like that single mustard seed, has the ability to confess Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Everyone has the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those who are ready to take the first steps of faith, please feel free to leave a note in the comments. 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: Thy Word ~ Amy Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI1ABsX4Fgo
~ 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 © 2023 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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