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Joshua 10:16-27

These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua was told, saying, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”

Joshua said, “Roll large stones to cover the cave’s entrance, and set men by it to guard them; but don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Don’t allow them to enter into their cities; for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.”

When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. Then Joshua said, “Open the cave entrance, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”

They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, “Come near. Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came near, and put their feet on their necks.

Joshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, for Yahweh will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

Afterward Joshua struck them, put them to death, and hanged them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until the evening. At the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and threw them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

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Joshua 10:16-27 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp to Gilgal. These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua was told, saying, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”

Joshua said, “Roll large stones to cover the cave’s entrance, and set men by it to guard them; but don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Don’t allow them to enter into their cities; for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.”

When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. Then Joshua said, “Open the cave entrance, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”

They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, “Come near. Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came near, and put their feet on their necks.

Joshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, for Yahweh will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

Afterward Joshua struck them, put them to death, and hanged them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until the evening. At the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and threw them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

    Joshua was told, saying, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”

    Joshua said, “Roll large stones to cover the cave’s entrance, and set men by it to guard them;

    but don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Don’t allow them to enter into their cities; for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.”

    When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

    all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

    Then Joshua said, “Open the cave entrance, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”

    They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

    When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, “Come near. Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came near, and put their feet on their necks.

    Joshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, for Yahweh will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

    Afterward Joshua struck them, put them to death, and hanged them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until the evening.

    At the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and threw them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

  • KJV King James Version

    But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.

    And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

    And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:

    And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

    And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.

    And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

    Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.

    And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

    And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

    And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

    And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.

    And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

    And it was told Joshua, saying: 'The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.'

    And Joshua said: 'Roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them;

    but stay not ye; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities; for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.'

    And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

    that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; none whetted his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

    Then said Joshua: 'Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forth those five kings unto me out of the cave.'

    And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon.

    And it came to pass, when they brought forth those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the chiefs of the men of war that went with him: 'Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.' And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

    And Joshua said unto them: 'Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage; for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.'

    And afterward Joshua smote them, and put them to death, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.

    And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, unto this very day.

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Cross-references (79)

  • Joshua 1:9 (v25) Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
  • 2 Corinthians 1:10 (v25) who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;
  • Ephesians 6:10 (v25) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
  • 1 Samuel 17:37 (v25) David said, “Yahweh who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this…
  • Deuteronomy 7:19 (v25) the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which Yahweh your God brought…
Show all 75 cross-references
  • Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (v25) Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor…
  • Romans 8:37 (v25) No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
  • Deuteronomy 3:21-22 (v25) I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings. So shall Yahweh do to…
  • Malachi 4:3 (v24) You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says Yahweh of Armies.
  • Romans 16:20 (v24) And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
  • 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (v25) But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear.…
  • Revelation 2:26-27 (v24) He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with a rod of…
  • Exodus 11:7 (v21) But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that Yahweh…
  • Deuteronomy 33:29 (v24) You are happy, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will…
  • Psalms 107:40 (v24) He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.
  • Psalms 110:1 (v24) Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
  • Psalms 110:5 (v24) The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
  • Psalms 149:8-9 (v24) to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this…
  • Joshua 8:29 (vv26–27) He hanged the king of Ai on a tree until the evening. At sundown, Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree and threw it…
  • Isaiah 26:5-6 (v24) For he has brought down those who dwell on high, the lofty city. He lays it low. He lays it low even to the ground. He brings it even to…
  • Isaiah 60:11-12 (v24) Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and…
  • Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (vv26–27) If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on…
  • Joshua 7:26 (v27) They raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of…
  • Joshua 8:24 (v20) When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness in which they pursued them, and they had all…
  • Judges 8:20 (v24) He said to Jether his firstborn, “Get up and kill them!” But the youth didn’t draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was yet a youth.
  • 2 Samuel 18:17 (v27) They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each…
  • Psalms 2:8-12 (v24) Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them…
  • Psalms 18:37-41 (v19) I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them. I won’t turn away until they are consumed. I will strike them through, so that they will not…
  • Psalms 18:40 (v24) You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
  • Psalms 91:13 (v24) You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
  • Isaiah 54:17 (v21) No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the…
  • Isaiah 57:4 (v21) Whom do you mock? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience and offspring of…
  • Matthew 27:66 (v18) So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.
  • 2 Samuel 20:6 (vv19–20) David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants, and pursue after him,…
  • Jeremiah 8:14 (vv19–20) “Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves! Let’s enter into the fortified cities, and let’s be silent there; for Yahweh our God has put us…
  • Numbers 25:4 (v26) Yahweh said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up to Yahweh before the sun, that the fierce anger of Yahweh may…
  • Deuteronomy 20:16 (v20) But of the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes;
  • Joshua 10:1 (v23) Now when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king,…
  • Joshua 10:3 (v23) Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of…
  • Joshua 10:5 (v23) Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king…
  • Joshua 10:10 (v20) Yahweh confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth…
  • Joshua 10:20 (v19) When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant…
  • Joshua 10:22 (v18) Then Joshua said, “Open the cave entrance, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”
  • Judges 6:2 (v16) The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made themselves the dens which are in the…
  • Judges 8:21 (v26) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “You rise and fall on us; for as the man is, so is his strength.” Gideon arose, and killed Zebah and…
  • 1 Samuel 13:6 (v16) When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in…
  • 1 Samuel 15:32 (v22) Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites here to me!” Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of…
  • 1 Samuel 15:33 (v26) Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women!” Then Samuel cut Agag in pieces before…
  • 1 Samuel 24:3 (v16) He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in…
  • 1 Samuel 24:8 (v16) David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David…
  • 2 Samuel 17:13 (v19) Moreover, if he has gone into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn’t…
  • 2 Samuel 21:6 (v26) let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Yahweh.” The king said,…
  • 2 Samuel 21:9 (v26) He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before Yahweh, and all seven of them fell…
  • 2 Chronicles 13:17 (v20) Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter, so five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain.
  • Esther 2:23 (v26) When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the…
  • Esther 7:9-10 (v26) Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai,…
  • Job 21:30 (v18) that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, That they are led out to the day of wrath?
  • Psalms 48:4-6 (v16) For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together. They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried…
  • Psalms 139:7-10 (v16) Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in…
  • Isaiah 2:10-12 (v16) Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man will…
  • Isaiah 2:19-22 (v16) Men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his…
  • Isaiah 9:14-15 (v19) Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. The elder and the honorable man is the head, and…
  • Isaiah 24:21-22 (v16) It will happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. They will be…
  • Jeremiah 48:10 (v19) “Cursed is he who does the work of Yahweh negligently; and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from blood.
  • Amos 5:19 (v18) As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a snake bit him.
  • Amos 9:1 (v18) I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said, “Strike the tops of the pillars, that the thresholds may shake; and break them in…
  • Amos 9:2 (v16) Though they dig into Sheol, there my hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, there I will bring them down.
  • Micah 7:17 (v16) They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their dens. They will come with…
  • Matthew 27:25 (v26) All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”
  • Galatians 3:13 (v26) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
  • Revelation 6:15 (v16) The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the…
  • Joshua 4:9 (v27) Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood;…
  • Judges 9:46-49 (v18) When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith. Abimelech was told that…
  • Psalms 63:9 (v25) But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
  • Psalms 77:11 (v25) I will remember Yah’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.

75 distinct cross-references across this passage (79 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (18 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv18, 25 18. And Joshua said, Roll, etc The enemy having…

18. And Joshua said, Roll, etc The enemy having been completely routed, Joshua is now free, and, as it were, at leisure, to inflict punishment on the kings. In considering this, the divine command must always be kept in view. But for this it would argue boundless arrogance and barbarous atrocity to trample on the necks of kings, and hang up their dead bodies on gibbets. It is certain that they had lately been raised by divine agency to a sacred dignity, and placed on a royal throne. It would therefore have been contrary to the feelings of humanity to exult in their ignominy, had not God so ordered it. But as such was his pleasure, it behooves us to acquiesce in his decision, without presuming to inquire why he was so severe.

At the same time, we must recollect, as I formerly hinted, first, that all from the least even to the greatest were deserving of death, because their iniquity had reached the highest pitch, and the kings, as more criminal than the others, deserved severer punishment; and secondly, that it was expedient to give an example of inexorable rigor in the person of the kings, whom the people, from a perverse affectation of clemency, might have been too much disposed to pardon. It was the will of God that all should be destroyed, and he had imposed the execution of this sentence on his people. Had he not stimulated them strongly to the performance of it, they might have found specious pretexts for giving pardon. But a mercy which impairs the authority of God at the will of man, is detestable. Now, however, when regal honor is not spared, all handle for humanity to the plebeians and common vulgar is cut off.

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By this instance, the Lord shows us the great interest he takes in his elect people; for it was an instance of rare condescension to place kings under their feet, and allow them to insult over their dignity, as if they had been petty robbers; as it is said in the Psalm, A two-edged sword is in their hand to execute vengeance on the nations, to bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with chains of iron; to execute the judgment written: this honor have all the saints. (Psalm 149:6-9) That fearful sight had at the same time the effect of striking terror, so as to prevent the Israelites from imitating the manners of nations whose crimes they had seen so severely punished. Accordingly, we repeatedly meet in the books of Moses with this warning, You have seen how God took vengeance on the nations who were in the land of Canaan before you. Beware, therefore, of provoking the wrath of your God by their perverse doings. In one word, that God might be worshipped with greater sanctity, he ordered the land to be purged of all pollutions, and as the inhabitants had been excessively wicked, he willed that his curse should rest upon them in a new and unwonted manner.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv19, 21, 24 Hebrew, cut off all their train or tail.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv16–27 Jos 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27 five kings named above, Jos 10:3.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv16–27 And it was told Joshua,.... Either by some of…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 27 A cave - A place of the greatest secrecy;…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv16, 21, 24, 26 Verse 16. Hid themselves in a cave] It is…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv16, 19, 20, 24, 27 Jos 10:16. These five kings — hid themselves in…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv16, 21, 24 The thread of the narrative, broken by the four…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv17, 21, 24, 27 City, or territory. (Calmet) --- The kings had sought…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv16, 24 THE FIVE KINGS HANGED. (Jos 10:16-27)
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27 THE PURSUIT AND SLAUGHTER OF THE AMORITES, Jos_10:16-21.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 16–27. Flight and Execution of the Five Kings
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv16, 19, 24, 25, 26 (16) In a cave.—Literally, in the cave in Makkedah,…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 In a cave. "In the cave" according to the…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v16 Jos_10:21. None moved his tongue] A proverbial phrase, intimating…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv18, 20, 22, 24, 26 into your hand
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16, 18, 21, 24, 25, 26 10:16 The five kings had led the southern coalition…
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