Bible Stories: Jonah (Part VI)
Further Interpretation:
The Lord expects obedience,
From all His ones beloved;
God has remarkable patience,
We ought to do as said.
’Tis upto Him to spare a soul;
Or punish one early;
To watch earth’s events is His role
He forgives all freely!
Man wants all wicked ones punished;
But God has other ways;
Man wants all righteous rewarded,
God puts it off by days!
Man’s anger comes in moments fast,
God cannot be like that;
Man forgets not the things of past,
The Maker does, so what?
Though Jonah’s reason for anger
Was right, from human point;
God saves all creatures from danger,
‘Sinners, He can anoint! ’
The God who made all souls alike,
Just loves to have all back;
He speaks to hearts ‘without a mike’;
The grace to hear, we lack!
Man’s repentance softens God’s wrath,
His anger cools off soon;
He wants us walk in righteous path,
And gain Heaven as boon!
The way God sees, we cannot sense,
We have human limits;
For downtrodden, God is defense,
Give up sinful habits!
Man’s narrowness of thinking is
Well seen in Jonah’s case;
When God prepares to forgive foes,
His verdict, none efface.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-26-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Bible Stories: Jonah (Part V)
God chooses persons for missions,
Divine in nature, quite strangely;
The prophet Jonah tried to shirk
Away from warning Nineveh.
God taught Jonah, a lesson great;
A mammoth fish swallowed him whole;
When Jonah asked pardon from God,
His life was spared miraculously.
None dare to disobey the Lord;
God guides us do a perfect job;
We ought to live as per His Word;
No righteous souls can devils rob!
As king to subjects, repented,
God spared the city from His rod;
God’s kindness made Jonah bitter;
The ways of God are just and fair!
Our human minds can’t understand
The love of God and His mercy;
God holds His wrath if sinners change
Their hearts from sins to righteous ways!
God’s redemption’s for Jews, Gentiles;
His infinite mercy’s for all;
If Maker wants, He spares the rod;
To man, His acts look rather odd!
God is ready to forgive all
Of mankind’s sins, grievous or small;
His heart of mercy burns with love
To seek more souls for Heav’n above!
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part IV)
Chapter 4:
What God had done, displeased Jonah;
In angry mood, he prayed,
‘I knew You’ll show clemency, Lord,
That’s why at first, I fled! ’
‘You’re a gracious, merciful God,
You’re slow to punish men;
And this is what I had said then;
You’re slow to anger, Lord! ’
‘Lord, take away my life from me,
’Tis better, I be dead! ’
God asked him, ‘Is your anger just? ’
Jonah had not replied.
He left the city to its east,
And built him small a hut;
And in its shade, waited to see,
What happened to men, beast!
God made a gourd plant grow over,
To give him more of shade;
Jonah was happy with cover,
His discomfort did fade!
Next day, God sent a worm to kill
The plant which withered fast;
The scorching sun then made him ill,
To faint, he turned almost.
The sun made Jonah angry more,
‘Better I die, ’ he said;
When God asked him, he thus replied,
‘The plant’s death made me sore! ’
And then the Lord explained Jonah,
‘You feel for gourd, not own.
You neither sowed the seed, nor raised,
The plant that lived one night! ’
‘Concerned are you, about a plant
For which you labored not;
And when it perished over-night,
You’re angry enough to die! ’
‘Oh, should I not show concern for
Great Nineveh city?
One twenty thousand men live there,
And beasts- what a pity? ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-25-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an act that works through God;
Forgiveness is an act of God in man;
Forgiveness is the work of God’s great love;
Forgiveness is an art that man must learn!
Men with good sense will restrain their anger;
Such men defer their anger for long times;
To forgive transgressions is man’s glory;
To hold one’s tongue is done by people smart.
Forgiving is an act almost divine;
Forgiving is something not all can do;
Forgiving someone is too tough at times;
Forgiving fully is done by just few!
To preach is easy; forgiving is tough;
Forgiving is an honor of men wise;
If God should forgive us, we must forgive;
Like God, we must be slow to anger too.
‘Forgive those who sin against us, ’ tells Christ;
To gain God’s forgiveness, we must then, first;
There is no limit to forgive someone;
Forgiveness is a virtue Jesus taught.
One who forgives has no revenge in heart;
One who forgives has no hate from the start;
‘Forgive and God will forgive you, ’ says Lord.
Forgiving plants the seed of love of God.
When all are sinners, forgiveness is prime;
By doing so, we gain the love of God;
Through forgiveness, our tolerance will grow;
For prayers to be heard, forgive right now!
A man with grudge is like a fruitless tree!
Grudge can stand in-between you and heaven!
Spare no occasion of forgiving men;
Judge not others but show mercy on them!
We turn like God when we forgive others;
Forgiving earns more souls for God, brothers!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-13-2009
poem by John Celes
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Jonah Forced By God Warms Assyrian Nineveh
Jonah an Old Testament prophet
from Galilee his story takes place
between years 780 B.C to 760 B.C.
Assyria was a powerful evil nation
Israel's most dreaded enemy foreign.
The Lord spoke unto Jonah told him
to go to Nineveh capital of Assyria
to preach to warn sinful Ninevites. Jonah 1: 2.
Jonah by God's word commanded
told to warn the Ninevites to repent
or suffer judgement for wickedness.
But Jonah disobeys the will of God
Jonah plots swiftly high tales it out
180 degrees in opposite direction
Jonah boy child brought back to life
resurrected by Elijah the prophet 1 Kings 17: 17-24.
Jonah son of Amittai the son of truth 2 Kings 14: 25.
Jonah departed not to Nineveh but
to Tarshish with motives of what?
Were Jonah's motives fear revenge?
Assyrians had committed terrible
atrocities against the people of Israel
traveling into their midst was terrifying?
Jonah despised hated the Assyrians
desired in his heart for God to punish
Assyria? Jonah knew God's nature.
Jonah knew if repentance he preached
to the Ninevites they would repent?
God would spare them punishment. Jonah 4: 2.
Jonah disobeyed fled toward Tarshish
because he knew God to be gracious
merciful, slow to anger, and abundant
in loving-kindness, regretting calamity.
Jonah knew God would forgive regret
his decision to destroy Nineveh a city
of more than 120,000 men domestic
animals living in spiritual darkness;
not knowing the difference between
their right hand and their left between
good and evil. Jonah by God was forced
to voice God's forty day warning and thus Jonah 3: 1-4.
the king of Nineveh ordered a great fast.
All wore from greatest to the least
sackcloth, none ate nor drank not,
man nor domestic animal; all the men
called to God with strength repented
of bad ways violence of their hands.
God turned back from his burning anger
felt regret spared Nineveh did not perish. Jonah 3: 5-10.
What moral by Jonah's story is taught?
Jonah's story teaches obedience necessary,
without question, to obey the will of God;
taught a willingness of spirit, gratitude,
compassion God's grace patience mercy.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Assyrian City Nineveh Repents
Jonah disobeyed fled toward Tarshish
because knowing God to be gracious
merciful, slow to anger, and abundant
in loving-kindness, regretting calamity.
Jonah knew God would forgive regret
his decision to destroy Nineveh a city
of more than 120,000 men domestic
animals living in spiritual darkness;
not knowing the difference between
their right hand and their left; between
good and evil. Jonah by God was forced
to voice God’s forty day warning and thus
Jonah 3: 1-4.
the king of Nineveh ordered a great fast.
All wore from greatest to the least
sackcloth, none ate nor drank not,
man nor domestic animal; all the men
called to God with strength repented
of bad ways violence of their hands.
God turned back from his burning anger
felt regret spared Nineveh did not perish.
Jonah 3: 5-10.
What moral by Jonah’s story is taught?
Jonah’s story teaches obedience necessary,
without question, to obey the will of God;
taught a willingness of spirit, gratitude,
compassion God’s grace patience mercy.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Sonnet: ’Tis Tough to Do Good Things!
’Tis easy to commit habitual sin;
’Tis easy to keep doing greater vice;
’Tis easy to succumb to temptation;
’Tis tough to always heed to good advice.
’Tis easy to point fingers at brothers;
’Tis tough to lead a righteous life on earth;
’Tis tough to forgive foes and your neighbors;
’Tis tough to keep your soul pure for God’s mirth.
’Tis tough to walk in heaven’s narrow road;
’Tis tough to sacrifice and pray to God;
’Tis tough to keep the Maker’s tenets, code;
’Tis tough to live according to God’s word.
No one can break the Lord’s affinity;
God helps the righteous gain eternity.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-17-2007
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: God is Beside His Righteous Souls
God loves His righteous people immensely,
And cares for them, protecting them always;
The snares of evil men can't harm truly;
With ease, the righteous on earth spend their days!
The Maker wages wars and wins them all;
The righteous feel secure with God beside;
God watches them and hears their every call;
The righteous shun all vices and all pride!
God plans the future of His beloved souls;
Nothing can go amiss in His schedule;
The non-believers are all merely fools;
Awards/ rewards come without any rule!
God will not lose a single righteous soul;
All righteous too have celestial a goal!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-08-12
poem by John Celes
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The Hand of God
The Hand of God is Almighty Himself!
No pride of human hearts can match its pow’r;
No human faculty can challenge Him;
No human thought can decipher God’s ways.
Just fools alone may try to question God;
The righteous wise find shelter in His Word;
No earthly treasures have value in heaven;
Money is invalid in divine vaults.
God stands by righteous souls in all travail;
Defeat is something untrue in their lives;
The devils’ overtures can’t dupe these minds;
Success smiles surely in all things they do.
Lo, Hell awaits all evil human hearts;
None can escape punishment of God just;
Repentance may win favor with the Lord;
The penitent can enter God’s Abode.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-28-2008
poem by John Celes
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The Human Heart II (From The Holy Bible)
Pray in your heart and rejoice in the LORD
God hardens hearts and melts them just like snow;
Return to God with all your hearts contrite;
The LORD looks at your heart and knows your thoughts!
God searches hearts and touches them for good;
All that is in your heart is known to God!
As Saul left Samuel's place, God changed his heart;
Serve the LORD faithfully with all your heart.
‘I am with you, heart and soul, ' says the Lord;
How wicked is the human heart at times!
Take heart again and let no fear seize it;
God is the one who knows each human heart.
The Lord discerns the human heart too well;
All turn your hearts to Him in obedience,
And live by his decrees and his commands;
Be glad in heart for good things God has done.
God knows your heart's desires before you;
God had put his wisdom in Solomon's heart;
He sees the integrity of your heart;
Let hearts of those who seek the lord, rejoice!
God tests the heart and understands secrets;
God forgives when you repent from your heart;
Set your heart in seeking God all your life;
Let pride not fill your heart and bring God's wrath!
God puts both fear and courage in man's heart;
Lay up his words upon your heart with care;
Conceal no sin nor hide your guilt in heart;
God knows the cravings of the human heart!
Never harbor malice against others;
Afill your heart with joy as it pounds, leaps;
Praise God with all your heart and render thanks;
Love the Lord Almighty God with your heart!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 16-11-12
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: When God is Angered…
The Lord protects His righteous souls always;
The Hand of God will be against their foes;
He keenly watches them with intent gaze;
He knows the time to mitigate their woes!
The Lord cannot forsake His beloved ones;
The God of goodness waits most patiently;
His angry face is brighter than all suns!
He heals the wounded upright hearts, gently!
The wrath of God destroys the wicked men,
And traps the evil minds in their own snares;
God helps the righteous with wisdom and ken;
To challenge God in fury, no one dares.
No one dare break the covenant of God;
The sinful souls can soon expect His rod.
poem by John Celes
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God, Yesterday and Today!
A thousand years is but a day to God!
The God we know is kind did wield a rod,
Quite stiff on people disobeying Him,
In earlier times as mentioned in Bible;
He talked to mankind directly those days,
And warned of impending dangers on earth;
He sent His Angels punishing wicked,
And helped His righteous souls in distress times;
He showed His mighty anger on sinners,
He forgave those who accepted their faults,
Confessing sins, repenting, once for all;
Rewarding upright ones who kept His code;
Performing miracles quite unheard of,
God shepherded His flock which loved Him too;
Destroying tribes and nations who were rogue,
He cleansed the sinful world and kept it straight;
Despite the Bible telling how God acts,
Men do not keep the commandments, He gave.
The modern world is rife with mortal sins;
The Creator is often forgotten;
With help of science, man thinks he can live well;
But God can well afford to watch and wait;
His heart is sad that man forgets His love!
Only a few will take part in His Feast;
The Maker weeps as men haven’t learnt lessons!
Nevertheless, God is the fairest Judge;
How long His patience lasts, no one will know!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 9-19-2006
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Live Aright, Man!
Who are we cheating- Man, oneself or God?
Our sins estrange us all from God/ heaven;
Misdeeds invite God’s wrath, judgment, fair rod;
And happily, more devils romp therein.
So many times, we forget God’s commands;
Engrossed in earthly chores, we forget soul;
Many a time, we stray in alien lands;
When things go wrong, we question Maker’s role!
The love of God can’t wish for man’s ruin;
The Maker loves to have back souls He made;
The heart of God can forgive any sin;
Man ought to live in ways that Maker bade.
The soul of man belongs to God alone;
And hell wasn’t made for men to moan and groan!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-30-2006
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part III)
Chapter 3:
The word of God to Jonah came,
A second time and said,
‘Set out to Nineveh, announce
The message, I give you! ’
So, Jonah went to Nineveh,
As per the Lord’s command;
It was a very large city;
It took him three full days!
And Jonah walked throughout the place,
And told what God bade him,
‘In forty days more, Nineveh
Shall be a destroyed town! ’
When people heard Jonah’s message,
Their faith in God improved;
Both great and small, they wore sack-cloth,
And fasted much and prayed!
The king too sat in ashes, dressed
In sack-cloth and much prayed;
He decreed that none should eat, drink-
No man or any beast!
They called to God in loud a voice,
And vowed to give up sin;
They hoped that God would forgive them,
And let them not perish.
The Lord was pleased by what they did;
He saw their change of heart;
His wrath was put under the lid,
As Jonah did his part!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part I)
Chapter I:
To Jonah, came the word of God,
The son of Amittai,
“Go to city of Nineveh
And warn them that their wickedness
Has come before the Lord! ”
But Jonah tried to flee from God
And boarded fast a ship;
He paid the fare to reach Tarshish,
To escape from the Lord!
God raised a tempest on the sea
That tried to break the ship;
The mariners got frightened much,
‘Each one cried to his God! ’
They threw the cargo in the sea,
While Jonah lay asleep;
The captain rudely told Jonah,
‘Pray God, we mustn’t perish! ’
They cast lots to detect the one,
Who brought them misfortune;
Poor Jonah turned to be culprit!
They questioned his business.
Then Jonah told them, ’I’m Hebrew,
My God’s the Creator!
He is the God of Heaven, earth,
And made the land and sea.’
When Jonah told he fled the Lord,
The men were seized with fear;
The sea was turning turbulent;
At stake were their lives dear.
So, Jonah told them, ‘Pick me up;
Throw me into the sea;
The storm was on account of me;
Perhaps, it could calm be.
The men rowed hard but saw no land;
The sea grew furious;
They prayed to God to forgive them,
And hurled Jonah in sea!
To their surprise, the sea turned calm;
May be, they did right thing;
They offered sacrifice to God
For, they were struck by fear!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: When Angry!
Help me, O God, to hold my anger fast;
I must be cool while facing foolish mobs;
Their irritating methods cannot last;
Their misdemeanor gives me extra sobs!
In angry mood, mind’s function can be lost;
Avengeful is the angry heart of man;
Even the life of one, anger can cost;
Anger reduces the human life-span.
Control your anger ’fore it ruin brings;
An angry man can’t think or reason out;
An angry muse cannot unfurl its wings;
When anger strikes, man has about God doubt!
Just inhibit the vicious emotion;
Anger works like a dementing potion!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-24-2006
poem by John Celes
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Zachaeus Upon The Sycamore Tree
Many of us have heard of Christ;
Some of us know Jesus so well;
Christ is always passing by nigh;
Should we not have a better glimpse?
By heart, we yearn to see Jesus;
We are all sinners in more ways;
Our ears await His loving call;
By spirit, we stay short for Christ!
God sees each human heart in depth;
He knows if it has love or hate;
He gives us chances for more faith;
Sometimes, He comes to us to speak.
A Sycamore helps us see Christ;
There are such trees by every lane;
But we must climb to see Christ well;
The Lord knows secrets of each heart!
Many in sins galore do lie;
Many do have a contrite heart;
For repentance to turn complete,
Penance must be in matching ways!
Why put off seeing Jesus Christ?
The Son of God came for sinners!
Just ask and He will surely come;
Search and you will find Him surely.
Christ longs to dine in each one's home;
He forgives sins by Cross' ease;
He changes lives once and for all;
Must not we reconcile with God?
'Tis easy climbing sycamores!
'Tis easy finding one such tree;
It helps to see Jesus clearly!
Why should we hesitate to climb?
Ignore the world that talks like fools!
Each soul must gain God's redemption;
Let's plead to God for forgiveness;
Let's fill heart with God's saving grace!
There is a price for redemption;
Jesus paid our ransom ahead;
We must walk in His righteous path;
We must enter the narrow gate!
We live in different life's set-ups!
God has a purpose for each one;
We ought to learn the will of God;
True faith alone can lead to Christ!
Christ lives in every one of us;
But we must live in Christ all life;
He sees us well and all the time;
The veil of sin hinders our sight!
There is no time to waste on earth;
We must all be reborn in Christ;
Our faith in God must not waver;
We must be steadfast in Christ Lord.
Let's keep looking for Jesus Lord!
Let's find a sycamore near-by!
Let's climb the tree to see Christ well;
He wants to dine in our dear homes!
Commune with God for He made us;
Alone on earth, we cannot live;
Surrender heart to Jesus Christ;
Heaven is earned right here on earth!
Jesus knows each soul's true state;
Jesus seeks souls with boundless love;
Why live in sins those lead to hell?
Only the fool says, ‘There's no God! '
We must live life much Christ-centered;
Faith must not swerve or keep changing;
Conversion is by grace of God;
Redemption is by love of God.
Ignore the world of vanity;
Be blind to world of heinous sins;
Be deaf to sinful talks of men;
Save your soul and your kith and kin's!
Zachaeus climbed a sycamore,
To catch a better glimpse of Christ;
And when he made up for his sins,
Redemption came to his household!
The lure of world need not deter;
There's lucre in heaven better;
To see God soul must pure remain;
When God calls, we must heed at once!
God speaks to us by Bible's words;
The verses tell us how to live;
God's purpose for our lives on earth
Must be realized by strong faith.
We are all children of same God;
We need to preserve our souls pure;
Our earthly stay is not for long;
Eternity with God is prime!
COPYRIGHT BY DR JOHN CELES 20-11-12
poem by John Celes
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God Amply Blesses Righteous Souls
At last, some things do happen much sought for,
in strange a manner, and in God’s own time;
The world is taken aback by such feats –
those happen by mere trust in Almighty!
God blesses righteous souls in mighty ways!
Our prayers can bring forth miracles quite fast;
God does not forsake nor abandon souls;
His love for righteousness is too steadfast.
The world looks down upon all righteous souls;
Yet, truth triumphs always ultimately;
Our foes and friends cannot believe their eyes;
God showers blessings on His beloved souls.
The righteous win against such heavy odds;
When God does things, He does them perfectly;
Our earthly tries end up in vanity,
But God gives upright souls some thumping wins.
Let worry not engulf one’s heart and mind;
Keep purity of soul foremost in life;
Sin shouldn’t decrease the bond of man with God;
God does great things if one truly deserves!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-11-2008
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Esther (PartVII)
What Message Does The Story Convey?
God chooses Mordacai, an upright Jew,
Who brings up Esther, related by blood;
God gives a dream to Mordacai, one day,
Of things that happen later in his life!
The man gets chance to serve in King’s courtyard;
And saves the King from being killed by plot;
The King remembers what the man has done,
Rewarding him when opportune time comes!
God makes a Jewish girl of beauty rare,
The Queen and wife of Artaxerxes King,
Who rules a kingdom from Ind to Sudan,
And through her saves the entire Jewish race.
The wicked Haman gets punished by King;
Because his arrogance had gone too far;
God never spares an evil-hearted man,
Who schemes to destroy God’s beloved people.
The fervent prayers of the Jewish race
Evokes the sympathy and grace of God;
The Lord never abandons righteous souls;
The innocents are protected by Him!
God transforms rulers’ hearts to change for good;
Good Emperors are blessed by Providence;
The scattered Jews are ‘shepherded’ so well;
These are some points that Bible stories tell.
God has a special plan for everyone;
Our piety and fortitude will help;
No evil minds can destroy God’s people;
The wicked get punished even on earth.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-20-2007
poem by John Celes
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The Nature of God
Seek the Lord and live!
Pray to Him: He will give.
Trust in Him
And life will be less grim!
He is the One, living God,
Who makes covenants with righteous men;
The God of righteousness,
He rewards and punishes;
He abhors sin and detests evil deeds;
His justice is unsurpassed;
He is the Alpha and the mega!
Yet, He is a merciful God;
He cares for all creatures
And specially human beings;
His heart overflows with love,
And is ever ready to forgive sinners;
He neither forsakes nor abandons
His beloved souls;
But, He is awe-some God;
He is the Master of the universe;
Creator of all things, known, unknown;
His Kingdom will come;
He is the Lord, our God,
Whose abode is heaven.
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Satanic Souls!
A myriad human souls are seen misled
By evil forces, keeping them in dark,
With conscience dysfunctional or dead,
And satanic influences and mark!
A few strange souls seem working night and day,
And try to dispel darkness of all sorts;
They’re guided by the Maker’s will and way,
And serve to save some hell-bound souls and hearts!
The modern world is turning chaotic;
Yet, goodness will prevail o’er bad on earth,
Though Satan tries to be acrobatic,
And righteous human beings are a dearth.
The Master of the universe is God;
All sinfulness will get His final rod!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-1-2007
poem by John Celes
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