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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 2:21–24

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

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From verse 21

  1. Genesis 22:16–18Rank 1 from verse 21
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    16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

    17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

    18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

  2. Genesis 22:9–12Rank 2 from verse 21
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    9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

    10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

    11And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

    12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

  3. John 8:39Rank 3 from verse 21
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    39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

  4. Matthew 12:37Rank 4 from verse 21
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    37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  5. Romans 4:16Rank 5 from verse 21
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    16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

  6. Acts 7:2Rank 6 from verse 21
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    2And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

  7. Isaiah 51:2Rank 7 from verse 21
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    2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

  8. James 2:18Rank 8 from verse 21
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    18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

  9. James 2:24Rank 9 from verse 21
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    24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

  10. John 8:53Rank 10 from verse 21
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    53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

  11. Joshua 24:3Rank 11 from verse 21
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    3And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

  12. Luke 1:73Rank 12 from verse 21
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    73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

  13. Luke 16:24Rank 13 from verse 21
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    24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

  14. Luke 16:30Rank 14 from verse 21
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    30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

  15. Matthew 25:31–40Rank 15 from verse 21
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    31¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

    32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

    33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

    34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

    35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

    36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

    37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

    38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

    39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

    40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

  16. Matthew 3:9Rank 16 from verse 21
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    9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  17. Psalms 143:2Rank 17 from verse 21
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    2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

  18. Romans 3:20Rank 18 from verse 21
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    20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

  19. Romans 4:1Rank 19 from verse 21
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    1WHAT shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

  20. Romans 4:12Rank 20 from verse 21
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    12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

From verse 22

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:3Rank 1 from verse 22
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    3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

  2. Hebrews 11:17–19Rank 2 from verse 22
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    17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

    18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

    19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

  3. 1 John 2:5Rank 3 from verse 22
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    5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

  4. Galatians 5:6Rank 4 from verse 22
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    6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  5. 1 John 4:17–18Rank 5 from verse 22
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    17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

    18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  6. James 2:18Rank 6 from verse 22
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    18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

From verse 23

  1. Genesis 15:6Rank 1 from verse 23
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    6And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

  2. Isaiah 41:8Rank 2 from verse 23
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    8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

  3. 2 Chronicles 20:7Rank 3 from verse 23
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    7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

  4. Galatians 3:6Rank 4 from verse 23
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    6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

  5. Romans 4:22–24Rank 5 from verse 23
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    22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

    23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

    24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

  6. Exodus 33:11Rank 6 from verse 23
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    11And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

  7. Romans 4:3–6Rank 7 from verse 23
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    3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

    4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

    5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

    6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

  8. John 15:13–15Rank 8 from verse 23
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    13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

    14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

    15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

  9. Galatians 3:22Rank 9 from verse 23
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    22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  10. Romans 11:2Rank 10 from verse 23
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    2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

  11. Galatians 3:8–10Rank 11 from verse 23
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    8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

    9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

    10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

  12. Job 16:21Rank 12 from verse 23
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    21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

  13. Romans 4:10–11Rank 13 from verse 23
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    10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

    11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

  14. Romans 9:17Rank 14 from verse 23
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    17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

  15. Luke 4:21Rank 15 from verse 23
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    21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

  16. Mark 15:27Rank 16 from verse 23
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    27And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

  17. Mark 12:10Rank 17 from verse 23
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    10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

  18. 1 Peter 2:6Rank 18 from verse 23
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    6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

  19. 2 Timothy 3:16Rank 19 from verse 23
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    16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

  20. Acts 1:16Rank 20 from verse 23
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    16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

From verse 24

  1. James 2:15–18Rank 1 from verse 24
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    15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

    16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

    17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

    18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

  2. James 2:21–22Rank 2 from verse 24
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    21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

    22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

  3. Psalms 60:12Rank 3 from verse 24
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    12Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:21

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justified

↗

1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

offered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of offer, meaning to present, bring, give, propose, or attempt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:22

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wrought

↗

Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perfect

↗

Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:23

COMBINED MEANING

scripture

↗

The sacred writing or writings given by inspiration of God, whether taken collectively or as a particular passage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fulfilled

↗

Filled up, completed, accomplished, performed, satisfied, expired, or brought fully to the appointed result, measure, time, or realization.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

believed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of believe. Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

imputed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of impute, meaning to reckon, attribute, or place to someone's account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

friend

↗

One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:24

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

see

↗

Sense 1: To perceive or behold with the eyes or in a vision. Sense 2: To observe, examine, discover, ascertain, consider, understand, know, or recognize. Sense 3: To visit, meet, converse with, or be in the presence of. Sense 4: To experience, undergo, endure, or enjoy. Sense 5: To attend to, take care, ensure, or beware.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justified

↗

1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · James 2:14–26

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

2:15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

2:16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

2:17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

2:18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

2:19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

2:21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Selected passage

2:22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Selected passage

2:23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Selected passage

2:24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Selected passage

2:25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

2:26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

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