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24 So Moses went out and reported the Lord’s words to the people. He gathered the seventy elders and stationed them around the Tabernacle.[a] 25 And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

26 Two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed behind in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but they had not gone out to the Tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested upon them as well, so they prophesied there in the camp. 27 A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”

28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!”

29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!” 30 Then Moses returned to the camp with the elders of Israel.

The Lord Sends Quail

31 Now the Lord sent a wind that brought quail from the sea and let them fall all around the camp. For miles in every direction there were quail flying about three feet above the ground.[b] 32 So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels[c]! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry. 33 But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means “graves of gluttony”) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt. 35 From Kibroth-hattaavah the Israelites traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed for some time.

The Complaints of Miriam and Aaron

12 While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle,[d] all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle.[e] “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:

“If there were prophets among you,
    I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions.
    I would speak to them in dreams.
But not with my servant Moses.
    Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
I speak to him face to face,
    clearly, and not in riddles!
    He sees the Lord as he is.
So why were you not afraid
    to criticize my servant Moses?”

The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. 10 As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy.[f] When Aaron saw what had happened to her, 11 he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.”

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!”

14 But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn’t she be defiled for seven days? So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back.”

15 So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again. 16 Then they left Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Twelve Scouts Explore Canaan

13 The Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He sent out twelve men, all tribal leaders of Israel, from their camp in the wilderness of Paran. These were the tribes and the names of their leaders:

TribeLeader
ReubenShammua son of Zaccur
SimeonShaphat son of Hori
JudahCaleb son of Jephunneh
IssacharIgal son of Joseph
EphraimHoshea son of Nun
BenjaminPalti son of Raphu
10 ZebulunGaddiel son of Sodi
11 Manasseh son of JosephGaddi son of Susi
12 DanAmmiel son of Gemalli
13 AsherSethur son of Michael
14 NaphtaliNahbi son of Vophsi
15 GadGeuel son of Maki

16 These are the names of the men Moses sent out to explore the land. (Moses called Hoshea son of Nun by the name Joshua.)

17 Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: “Go north through the Negev into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? 20 Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see.” (It happened to be the season for harvesting the first ripe grapes.)

21 So they went up and explored the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. 22 Going north, they passed through the Negev and arrived at Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai—all descendants of Anak—lived. (The ancient town of Hebron was founded seven years before the Egyptian city of Zoan.) 23 When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them! They also brought back samples of the pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol (which means “cluster”), because of the cluster of grapes the Israelite men cut there.

The Scouting Report

25 After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned 26 to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. 27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea[g] and along the Jordan Valley.”

30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants[h] there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Footnotes

  1. 11:24 Hebrew the tent; also in 11:26.
  2. 11:31 Or there were quail about 3 feet [2 cubits or 92 centimeters] deep on the ground.
  3. 11:32 Hebrew 10 homers [2.2 kiloliters].
  4. 12:4 Hebrew the Tent of Meeting.
  5. 12:5 Hebrew the tent; also in 12:10.
  6. 12:10 Or with a skin disease. The Hebrew word used here can describe various skin diseases.
  7. 13:29 Hebrew the sea.
  8. 13:33 Hebrew nephilim.

24 So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud(A) and spoke with him,(B) and he took some of the power of the Spirit(C) that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.(D) When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied(E)—but did not do so again.

26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them,(F) and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

28 Joshua son of Nun,(G) who had been Moses’ aide(H) since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”(I)

29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets(J) and that the Lord would put his Spirit(K) on them!”(L) 30 Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

31 Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail(M) in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits[a] deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction. 32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers.[b] Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth(N) and before it could be consumed, the anger(O) of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.(P) 34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah,[c](Q) because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth(R) and stayed there.

Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

12 Miriam(S) and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife,(T) for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?”(U) And the Lord heard this.(V)

(Now Moses was a very humble man,(W) more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud;(X) he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words:

“When there is a prophet among you,
    I, the Lord, reveal(Y) myself to them in visions,(Z)
    I speak to them in dreams.(AA)
But this is not true of my servant Moses;(AB)
    he is faithful in all my house.(AC)
With him I speak face to face,
    clearly and not in riddles;(AD)
    he sees the form of the Lord.(AE)
Why then were you not afraid
    to speak against my servant Moses?”(AF)

The anger of the Lord burned against them,(AG) and he left them.(AH)

10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent,(AI) Miriam’s skin was leprous[d]—it became as white as snow.(AJ) Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease,(AK) 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.(AL) 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!(AM)

14 The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face,(AN) would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp(AO) for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp(AP) for seven days,(AQ) and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

16 After that, the people left Hazeroth(AR) and encamped in the Desert of Paran.(AS)

Exploring Canaan

13 The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore(AT) the land of Canaan,(AU) which I am giving to the Israelites.(AV) From each ancestral tribe(AW) send one of its leaders.”

So at the Lord’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.(AX) These are their names:

from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zakkur;

from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;(AY)

from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;

from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;(AZ)

from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;

10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;

11 from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;

12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;

13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;

15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki.

16 These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore(BA) the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun(BB) the name Joshua.)(BC)

17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan,(BD) he said, “Go up through the Negev(BE) and on into the hill country.(BF) 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.(BG)” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)(BH)

21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin(BI) as far as Rehob,(BJ) toward Lebo Hamath.(BK) 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron,(BL) where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai,(BM) the descendants of Anak,(BN) lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)(BO) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[e](BP) they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates(BQ) and figs.(BR) 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days(BS) they returned from exploring the land.(BT)

Report on the Exploration

26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh(BU) in the Desert of Paran.(BV) There they reported to them(BW) and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.(BX) 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!(BY) Here is its fruit.(BZ) 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.(CA) We even saw descendants of Anak(CB) there.(CC) 29 The Amalekites(CD) live in the Negev; the Hittites,(CE) Jebusites(CF) and Amorites(CG) live in the hill country;(CH) and the Canaanites(CI) live near the sea and along the Jordan.(CJ)

30 Then Caleb(CK) silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”(CL) 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report(CM) about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours(CN) those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.(CO) 33 We saw the Nephilim(CP) there (the descendants of Anak(CQ) come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers(CR) in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 11:31 That is, about 3 feet or about 90 centimeters
  2. Numbers 11:32 That is, possibly about 1 3/4 tons or about 1.6 metric tons
  3. Numbers 11:34 Kibroth Hattaavah means graves of craving.
  4. Numbers 12:10 The Hebrew for leprous was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  5. Numbers 13:23 Eshkol means cluster; also in verse 24.

22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant[a] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike[b] the Shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,”[c] he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.

46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:24 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.
  2. 14:27 Greek I will strike. Zech 13:7.
  3. 14:36 Abba is an Aramaic term for “father.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it(A) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.(B)

24 “This is my blood of the[a] covenant,(C) which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”(D)

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(E)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(F)

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’[b](G)

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(H)

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[c] you yourself will disown me three times.”(I)

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you,(J) I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane(K)

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John(L) along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”(M) he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour(N) might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[d] Father,”(O) he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup(P) from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”(Q)

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.(R) The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(S)

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour(T) has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested(U)

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas,(V) one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!”(W) and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts,(X) and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”(Y) 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.(Z)

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:24 Some manuscripts the new
  2. Mark 14:27 Zech. 13:7
  3. Mark 14:30 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
  4. Mark 14:36 Aramaic for father

Psalm 52

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”

Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
    Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
All day long you plot destruction.
    Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
    you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
    and lies more than truth. Interlude

You love to destroy others with your words,
    you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
    He will pull you from your home
    and uproot you from the land of the living. Interlude

The righteous will see it and be amazed.
    They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
    who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
    and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
    I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people.

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Footnotes

  1. 52:Title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.

Psalm 52[a]

For the director of music. A maskil[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite(A) had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
    Why do you boast(B) all day long,(C)
    you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
You who practice deceit,(D)
    your tongue plots destruction;(E)
    it is like a sharpened razor.(F)
You love evil(G) rather than good,
    falsehood(H) rather than speaking the truth.[c]
You love every harmful word,
    you deceitful tongue!(I)

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck(J) you from your tent;
    he will uproot(K) you from the land of the living.(L)
The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh(M) at you, saying,
“Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold(N)
but trusted in his great wealth(O)
    and grew strong by destroying others!”

But I am like an olive tree(P)
    flourishing in the house of God;
I trust(Q) in God’s unfailing love
    for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you(R)
    in the presence of your faithful people.(S)
And I will hope in your name,(T)
    for your name is good.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
  2. Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

11 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales,
    but he delights in accurate weights.

Pride leads to disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

Honesty guides good people;
    dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

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11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(D)

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(E)

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