Ephesians 4

1
Carnation Bible Church February 24, 2008
What did God design His gospel to produce? What
is the doctrine of Ephesians 1-3 intended to look
like? What are the good works that God wants His
new society to embody?
Ephesians 4
2

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,
• with patience,
• showing tolerance for one another in love,
• 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the
  Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4
3

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,
• with patience,
• showing tolerance for one another in love,
• 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the
  Spirit in the bond of peace.

God designed His gospel to produce people who
embody Him in the midst of crummy circumstances.
Ephesians 4
4

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

Ephesians 4
5

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their masters.
Ephesians 4
6

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their
masters. Humility restrains the appetite from
aiming at great things contrary to truth and
wisdom.
Ephesians 4
7

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their
masters. Humility restrains the appetite from
aiming at great things contrary to truth and
wisdom. Humility is a fruit of knowing both God
and oneself.
Ephesians 4
8
Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge
of God. Without knowledge of God there is no
knowledge of self.
John Calvin (Institutes of the Christian Religion
1.1.1 1.1.2)
9

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their
masters. Humility restrains the appetite from
aiming at great things contrary to truth and
wisdom. Humility is a fruit of knowing both God
and oneself. Humility involves knowing our
capacities and our incapacities.
Ephesians 4
10

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their
masters. Humility restrains the appetite from
aiming at great things contrary to truth and
wisdom. Humility is a fruit of knowing both God
and oneself. Humility involves knowing our
capacities and our incapacities. Humility
compares itself to God primarily, to humans
secondarily.
Ephesians 4
11

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

In Roman and Greek thought humility was NOT a
virtue. It was what slaves owed their
masters. Humility restrains the appetite from
aiming at great things contrary to truth and
wisdom. Humility is a fruit of knowing both God
and oneself. Humility involves knowing our
capacities and our incapacities. Humility
compares itself to God primarily, to humans
secondarily. Humility is the fruit of facing, and
accepting, the truth.
Ephesians 4
12
False Humility
Humility
Pride

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Truthful self evaluation Not full of
self Restraint from wanting things too
high Restraint from excessive self
depreciation Willing to be weak and
small Thankful Recognizes that capacity
ultimately comes from God Doesnt get a big head
from big achievements Surrendered to truth
13
False Humility
Humility
Pride

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Woe is me! Exploits weakness in order to
manipulate Blames others and circumstances in
order to avoid self evaluation Master at avoiding
self evaluation. Refuses to know self Nothing to
be thankful for. Eeyore complex Passive
resistance Selfish to the max, but under the
disguise of false humility
Truthful self evaluation Not full of
self Restraint from wanting things too
high Restraint from excessive self
depreciation Willing to be weak and
small Thankful Recognizes that capacity
ultimately comes from God Doesnt get a big head
from big achievements Surrendered to truth
14
False Humility
Humility
Pride

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Woe is me! Exploits weakness in order to
manipulate Blames others and circumstances in
order to avoid self evaluation Master at avoiding
self evaluation. Refuses to know self Nothing to
be thankful for. Eeyore complex Passive
resistance Selfish to the max, but under the
disguise of false humility
Truthful self evaluation Not full of
self Restraint from wanting things too
high Restraint from excessive self
depreciation Willing to be weak and
small Thankful Recognizes that capacity
ultimately comes from God Doesnt get a big head
from big achievements Surrendered to truth
Above the need for self evaluation Takes and
wants credit Competes to be top dog Fights
openly Insists on getting what he/she
wants Protects self from looking bad Has to beat
everybody all the time to be okay Selfish to the
max Does not recognize that capacity ultimately
comes from God
15

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility

How does faith in the gospel produce
humility? How can we help others become
humble? Can we be humble and take risks? Can we
be humble and be aggressive? Can we be humble and
confident at the same time? Is humility a
characteristic of greatness? How do we humble
ourselves? In this dog-eat-dog world can we be
humble and good at business?
Ephesians 4
16

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,

Ephesians 4
17

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,

Strength under control in conflict is the essence
of gentleness.
Ephesians 4
18

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,

Strength under control in conflict is the essence
of gentleness.
Ephesians 4
19

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,

Strength under control in conflict is the essence
of gentleness. In the world of relationships,
gentleness shines when people are angry.
Ephesians 4
20
Gentleness

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Strength under control Avoids selfish
anger Embodies righteous anger Inflicts pain in
order to promote goodness godliness Uses power
to please God and to benefit others Obedient to
God when things are moving fast and
furious Overcomes evil with good Not offended
easily
21
Gentleness
Loose Cannon

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Strength under control Avoids selfish
anger Embodies righteous anger Inflicts pain in
order to promote goodness godliness Uses power
to please God and to benefit others Obedient to
God when things are moving fast and
furious Overcomes evil with good Not offended
easily
22
Gentleness
Loose Cannon

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Strength under control Avoids selfish
anger Embodies righteous anger Inflicts pain in
order to promote goodness godliness Uses power
to please God and to benefit others Obedient to
God when things are moving fast and
furious Overcomes evil with good Not offended
easily
Out of control Reactive acts without
thinking Strikes back at any offense Inflicts
pain indiscriminately Harsh and rough. Not out to
please God or to benefit others (even though may
say so) Generates fear Enjoys punishing Takes
pleasure in generating fear Easily offended
fights
23
Wallower
Gentleness
Loose Cannon

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Strength under control Avoids selfish
anger Embodies righteous anger Inflicts pain in
order to promote goodness godliness Uses power
to please God and to benefit others Obedient to
God when things are moving fast and
furious Overcomes evil with good Not offended
easily
Out of control Reactive acts without
thinking Strikes back at any offense Inflicts
pain indiscriminately Harsh and rough. Not out to
please God or to benefit others (even though may
say so) Generates fear Enjoys punishing Takes
pleasure in generating fear Easily offended
fights
24
Wallower
Gentleness
Loose Cannon

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Not ever free to be angry Masks anger No strength
or authority Strength is dormant or
suppressed Clingy Expects abuse at any
moment Looks for strength from outside of self
key people or substances Easily offended broods
and wallows Gets power from brooding
Strength under control Avoids selfish
anger Embodies righteous anger Inflicts pain in
order to promote goodness godliness Uses power
to please God and to benefit others Obedient to
God when things are moving fast and
furious Overcomes evil with good Not offended
easily
Out of control Reactive acts without
thinking Strikes back at any offense Inflicts
pain indiscriminately Harsh and rough. Not out to
please God or to benefit others (even though may
say so) Generates fear Enjoys punishing Takes
pleasure in generating fear Easily offended
fights
25

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,
• with patience,

Patience suffers things that hurt now for the
sake of a good end.
Ephesians 4
26
False Patience
Patience
Impatient

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

27
False Patience
Patience
Impatient

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Likes getting what he/she wants when he/she wants
it Happiness doesnt depend on getting what
he/she wants when he/she wants it Suffers pain
now for a good end Doesnt go under Hopes that
good will come Doesnt lose integrity in the
midst of pain Suffers with a good attitude

28
False Patience
Patience
Impatient

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Bears hurt or sorrow, but not for a good end--but
a selfish end Suffers with a bad
attitude Agitated Ill be patient until I can get
even This should not be happening to me Ill keep
quiet publicly, but Ill pour my distress out on
friends and family
Likes getting what he/she wants when he/she wants
it Happiness doesnt depend on getting what
he/she wants when he/she wants it Suffers pain
now for a good end Doesnt go under Hopes that
good will come Doesnt lose integrity in the
midst of pain Suffers with a good attitude

29
False Patience
Patience
Impatient

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Bears hurt or sorrow, but not for a good end--but
a selfish end Suffers with a bad
attitude Agitated Ill be patient until I can get
even This should not be happening to me Ill keep
quiet publicly, but Ill pour my distress out on
friends and family
Likes getting what he/she wants when he/she wants
it Happiness doesnt depend on getting what
he/she wants when he/she wants it Suffers pain
now for a good end Doesnt go under Hopes that
good will come Doesnt lose integrity in the
midst of pain Suffers with a good attitude
Refuses to suffer painbut suffers pain Loses
sight of the end Cannot be happy until he/she
gets what he/she wants Doesnt tolerate
delay Impulsive, reactive, not mindful Does not
allow a bit of self knowledge (Im not a patient
person) to generate more reflection. Expects to
be let off the hook for such a courageous
admission.
30

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,
• with patience,
• showing tolerance for one another in love,

Tolerance (forbearance) has to do with bothersome
differences and with injustice. Why is tolerance
(forbearance) necessary for Gods new community?
Ephesians 4
31
Intolerance
Tolerance/Forbearance
Too Tolerant

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

Demands justice now
Abstains from or delays the enforcement of a
right for a higher good
No such thing as real right and wrong Tolerate
anything save intolerance We have no right to
judge Tolerate differences that concern you
because you fear conflict more than you love
goodness (selfish toleration)
32

• 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
  you to
• walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
  you have been called, 
• 2with all humility
• and gentleness,
• with patience,
• showing tolerance for one another in love,

How does the gospel generate tolerance for one
another (forbearance)? What is the gospel for the
intolerant and the totally tolerant? How can we
help others become forbearing?
Ephesians 4
33
Carnation Bible Church February 24, 2008
Ephesians 4
34

• 4There is one body
• and one Spirit,
• just as also you were called in one hope of your
  calling
• 5one Lord,
• one faith,
• one baptism,
• 6one God and Father of all who is over all and
  through all and in all.

Ephesians 4
35
x
Ephesians 4
36

• 7But to each one of us grace was given according
  to the measure of Christs gift. 8Therefore it
  says, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A
  HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.
  9(Now this expression, He ascended, what does
  it mean except that He also had descended into
  the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended
  is Himself also He who ascended far above all the
  heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

Ephesians 4
37
x
Ephesians 4
38

• 11And He gave some as apostles, and some as
  prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as
  pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the
  saints for the work of service, to the building
  up of the body of Christ 13until we all attain
  to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
  of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the
  measure of the stature which belongs to the
  fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4
39

• 11And He gave some as apostles, and some as
  prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as
  pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the
  saints for the work of service, to the building
  up of the body of Christ 13until we all attain
  to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
  of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the
  measure of the stature which belongs to the
  fullness of Christ.

x
Ephesians 4
40

• 14As a result, we are no longer to be children,
  tossed here and there by waves and carried about
  by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of
  men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming 15but
  speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in
  all aspects into Him who is the head, even
  Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fitted
  and held together by what every joint supplies,
  according to the proper working of each
  individual part, causes the growth of the body
  for the building up of itself in love.

Ephesians 4
41

• 14As a result, we are no longer to be children,
  tossed here and there by waves and carried about
  by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of
  men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming 15but
  speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in
  all aspects into Him who is the head, even
  Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fitted
  and held together by what every joint supplies,
  according to the proper working of each
  individual part, causes the growth of the body
  for the building up of itself in love.

x
Ephesians 4
42
Column One Column One
Radical Middle! Column Two
Column Three Column Three

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

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43
Carnation Bible Church March 2, 2008
Ephesians 4
44

• 17So this I say, and affirm together with the
  Lord, that you walk no longer just as the
  Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their
  mind, 18being darkened in their understanding,
  excluded from the life of God because of the
  ignorance that is in them, because of the
  hardness of their heart 19and they, having
  become callous, have given themselves over to
  sensuality for the practice of every kind of
  impurity with greediness.

Ephesians 4
45

• 17So this I say, and affirm together with the
  Lord, that you walk no longer just as the
  Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their
  mind, 18being darkened in their understanding,
  excluded from the life of God because of the
  ignorance that is in them, because of the
  hardness of their heart 19and they, having
  become callous, have given themselves over to
  sensuality for the practice of every kind of
  impurity with greediness.

x
Ephesians 4
46

• 20But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21if
  indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in
  Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22that, in
  reference to your former manner of life, you lay
  aside the old self, which is being corrupted in
  accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23and that
  you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and
  put on the new self, which in the likeness of God
  has been created in righteousness and holiness of
  the truth.

Ephesians 4
47

• 20But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21if
  indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in
  Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22that, in
  reference to your former manner of life, you lay
  aside the old self, which is being corrupted in
  accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23and that
  you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and
  put on the new self, which in the likeness of God
  has been created in righteousness and holiness of
  the truth.

x
Ephesians 4
48

• 25Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH
  EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are
  members of one another. 26BE ANGRY, AND yet DO
  NOT SIN do not let the sun go down on your
  anger, 27and do not give the devil an
  opportunity. 28He who steals must steal no
  longer but rather he must labor, performing with
  his own hands what is good, so that he will have
  something to share with one who has need.

Ephesians 4
49

• 25Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH
  EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are
  members of one another. 26BE ANGRY, AND yet DO
  NOT SIN do not let the sun go down on your
  anger, 27and do not give the devil an
  opportunity. 28He who steals must steal no
  longer but rather he must labor, performing with
  his own hands what is good, so that he will have
  something to share with one who has need.

x
Ephesians 4
50

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4
51

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption.

x
Ephesians 4
52

• 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and
  clamor and slander be put away from you, along
  with all malice. 32Be kind to one another,
  tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God
  in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4
53

• 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and
  clamor and slander be put away from you, along
  with all malice. 32Be kind to one another,
  tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God
  in Christ also has forgiven you.

x
Ephesians 4
54
Column One Column One
Radical Middle! Column Two
Column Three Column Three

• 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your
  mouth, but only such a word as is good for
  edification according to the need of the moment,
  so that it will give grace to those who hear.
  30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom
  you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let
  all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
  slander be put away from you, along with all
  malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
  forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also
  has forgiven you.

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