Category Archives: Jesus

Discussion of the Deity of Jesus with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

One God or Two?

If you ask a Jehovah’s Witness, ‘How many Gods do you believe in?’, they will answer and say “One. We believe in the One true God, Jehovah.” And by that, they mean the Father. However, it quickly becomes apparent, once you start asking questions, that they actually believe in many gods. They don’t realize this because everything they believe is compartmentalized and they don’t compare and contrast what they believe. This is how they can believe contradictory ideas. When you show them this, it causes cognitive dissonance. Let me explain.

The conversation typically goes something like this:

Me: How many Gods do you believe in?

JW: We believe in the One true God, Jehovah.

Me: And by that you mean the Father?

JW: Yes, the Father. Do you know that God has a name? Do you know what the name of God is? (JW are very intent on focusing on the name of God. They often revert to this subject because they think Christians don’t know God’s name, which makes them feel superior and special. They like that).

Me: What about Jesus?

JW: Jesus is the Son of God. He is not God.

Me: Isaiah 9:6 and John 1:1 both say Jesus is God.

JW: Yes, but He is not the Father, He is not the Almighty God, He is only the mighty God.

Me: But Jehovah is called mighty God in Isaiah 10:21.

           Only a remnant will return, The remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. NWT

So, you believe in two Gods?

JW: No

Me: Sure, you do. Let’s add this up. You have the Almighty uncreated Father, that’s one, and the little created god Jesus, that’s two.

JW: But we only worship the Father. And besides, the Bible says there are many gods, even Satan is called the god of this system of things.

Me: We weren’t talking about how many gods you worship; we were talking about how many gods you believe in. The Bible teaches there is only one true God. All others are false.

JW: No, the Bible says there are many gods, even Satan is called the god of this system of things:

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Cor. 4:4 NWT

Me: But Satan is not a true God, Satan is a fallen angel, a false god.

JW: Even Jesus said there are gods.

“Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”’?* 35  If he called ‘gods’  those against whom the word of God came—and yet the scripture cannot be nullified— 36  do you say to me whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?” John 10:34-36 NWT

Jesus is quoting from Psalms chapter 82 here and if we examine the next verse, the context becomes clear.

“I have said, ‘You are gods,

All of you are sons of the Most High. But you will die just as men do, And like any other prince you will fall!’” Psalms 82:6,7 NWT

Me: If you continue reading, in the next verse, we can clearly see since these so-called gods will die, they are not true Gods. And since Jehovah God states there is only One True God, these so-called gods must be false.

What kind of a god is Jesus? A true God or a false god?

And this is typically where the conversation ends and they suddenly have to leave. Or they might change the subject. Don’t fall for this!

In my last conversation with a JW, he tried to say there is more than one kind of a true god and go through the definitions of God in the dictionary. He then tried to explain the Son is a different kind of true God. This still leaves them with the belief in more than one God. Which makes them polytheists, or more accurately henotheists.

Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t seem to know the difference between the One true God and the false gods mentioned in the Bible. The Watchtower does this by design since JW’s believe in more than one true God, which contradicts the Bible. This comes as a shock to both JW’s and the Christians who are trying to reach them.

I like to show them Isaiah 43:10,11 since this is their favorite scripture. Sadly, they never read past the first sentence. Discovering God said He created no other gods catches them by surprise.

“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me, no God was formed, And after me, there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me, there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:10,11

This is problematic for them. Here, their own Bible says Jehovah created no other God.

JW’s think it is perfectly acceptable to believe in more than one true God, because of their *altered* New World Translation. Because the Watchtower organization disagreed with the Bible, they translated their own Bible and proceeded to alter it, most notably in John 1:1 which reads:

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

While the Bible is clear, that there is only one true God and JW’s believe in more than one God, I have never seen this work well with a JW. However, we never know what scripture will trouble a Jehovah’s Witness enough to research and start to question the Watchtower organization. And the last time they came to my door, this exact argument unexpectedly took place and their only response was “We have to leave now!” Apparently, it made quite an impact! So, we never know what will work. I always advise Christians who are reaching out to Jehovah’s Witnesses, to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. It’s amazing what happens!

Here is a list of some of the more common verses which clearly state there is only one God. All scriptures are taken from the New World Translation.

  1. Deut. 4:35,39 You yourselves have been shown these things so you will know that Jehovah is the true God; there is no other besides him. Know, therefore, on this day, and take it to heart that Jehovah is the true God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. There is no other.
  2. Deut. 32:39 See now that I—I am he, And there are no gods apart from me. I put to death, and I make alive. I wound, and I will heal, And no one can rescue from my hand.
  3. 2 Sam. 7:22 That is why you are truly great, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. There is no one like you, and there is no God except you; everything we have heard with our ears confirms this.
  4. 1 Kings 8:60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah is the true God. There is no other!
  5. Isaiah 44:6,8 This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.
  6. Isaiah 45:5 This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel+ and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.

Next up will be the biblical teaching that troubled this Jehovah’s Witness.

Salvation How Is It Found?

COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY

How is salvation found? By means of faith or by means of an organization? The Watchtower teaches one must be a member of the organization to be saved through Armageddon. Where is this found in Scripture? 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT of works,  lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8,9 NKJV

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A Simple Message for Jehovah’s Witnesses

God cannot tell a lie. God’s word is truth. If our religion disagrees with God, our religion is wrong. Simple.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30, 31.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

So then the Bible tells us we are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus. Do you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Jesus tells us if we ask for the Holy Spirit, God will give the Holy Spirit to us.

 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

Have you asked for the Holy Spirit? If not, why not?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.    Acts 2:38

So then, we need to repent of our sins, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and ask for the Holy Spirit.

 

How Can I Have a More Intimate Relationship With God?

 

LION PROFILE PIC WITH PRAYER

First it’s important to know that God loves us, and wants us to seek Him and have a relationship with Him. It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past or who you are, God loves you. Here are some scriptures that tell us that God loves us.

1.“We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

2.“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

3.“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

4.No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

5.But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—Ephesians 2:4-5

6.In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11

7.The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I often get asked “How can I have a closer relationship with God?” I was asked this while one of Jehovah’s Witnesses as well. It’s fairly simple and straight forward.

If you want a relationship with God, tell Him! I remember crying and praying, telling God, “I want that relationship with you like Abraham had, like Isaac had, like Moses had, like King David had! I want that!” That was the first step.

I don’t know why that shocked the Jehovah’s Witnesses I spoke to but it genuinely shocked them. One young lady, a friend of my daughter, followed this advice and received her first answer from God! She called me the next day in tears of joy!

Next, the Bible is God’s inspired Word, this is how He speaks with us today. When we study His word, we are searching for answers. When we receive the Holy Spirit, He bears witness with our spirit and the words seem to come to life, that is, it’s as though we have never read them before. Suddenly the light goes on and we notice something new! So study of God’s word is also a key element.

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Tim. 3:16 NLT

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Tim. 3:16 NIV

If we want to get to know God, we must read His word. If we want an answer from God, it is often found by reading His word. He has given the Bible as a letter of love and instruction, how would you feel if you wrote your child a letter of love and concern and he or she never read it?

As Jehovah’s Witnesses we were taught that taking in knowledge equaled eternal life and was equivalent to worship. This is from the faulty interpretation of John 17:3 in the 1984 New World Translation which read:

This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God and the One you sent forth, Jesus Christ.

Jesus words show that this is faulty interpretation when He said, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” John 5:39, 40.

Notice the difference in other translations of John 17:3

And this is the way to have eternal life–to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. NLT

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. NIV

Now, decades later, even the Watchtower Organization has changed this verse to read similarly. (Although for decades we defended the watchtower’s interpretation of this verse!)

This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. NWT

Coming to know someone is not the same as “taking in knowledge” of them. It is not simply learning about someone that helps us to have a relationship with them. It’s speaking to them, building that relationship. For example  you can read a book all about your favorite author, you might learn where he was born, how old he is, whether or not he is married, how many children he has, and what his religious ideals may be. Does this mean you have a relationship with this author? Does this author know you personally by name?

Same principle applies in our quest for a relationship with God. True, we learn about God’s qualities and what He requires of worshiper’s by reading the Bible, but gaining that intimate relationship with Him, really getting to know Him, and having Him know us, is only acquired by speaking to Him, in prayer. So daily prayer is vital!

If you have a husband or wife, or a fiancé, do you remember when you were first getting to know one another? A day would hardly pass without speaking to each other, often for hours on end! This is how we get to know one another and this is how we also get to know God. True, He does not speak to us like other humans do, but we often “hear” from Him through His word.

Something that was never stressed, as Jehovah’s Witnesses was worship. Their idea of worship includes going door to door, attending meetings and study of watchtower literature. Does God care if we peddle magazines door to door?

“For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 2 Cor. 2:17 ESV

Does God care that we meet together to sing “From house to house and door to door?” Is that praising God? Now they sing about pioneering! In what way is that praising God?

So aside from prayer and reading or studying God’s word what else can we do? Sing songs of praise! Praise the Lord! This is found throughout the Scriptures.

Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. Judges 5:3

Therefore I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises to your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

I will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much people. Psalms 35:18

And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long. Psalms 35:28

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy: yes, on the harp will I praise you, O God my God. Psalms 43:4

It is a good thing to give thank unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high. Psalms 92:1

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name. Psalms 100:4

I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O LORD, will I sing. Psalms 101:1

 

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145

Want to see how often King David said to praise the Lord? Read Psalm 145-150 and just count how many times he says it!

So tell Him you want that intimate relationship, study His word and offer up songs of praise! Make this a habit and you will be well on your way. It takes time, consistency and effort. And lastly, don’t give up! Keep asking, keep seeking, persevere in prayer!

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13

So ask for the Holy Spirit! Tell God you want that intimate relationship with Him! Open the Bible and start reading it! He wrote it for us, it is His love letter and letter of instruction for us today.

Jesus loves you, and will come into your heart if you ask Him.

 

 

How Can I Be Saved?

ASK BELIEVE RECEIVE

We’ve all been abused by the Watchtower. For most of us those scars are hidden on the inside, we are the “walking wounded.” We’ve lost our families, our so-called friends, our reputation, and have been smeared as “mentally diseased apostates” by the Organization. Some of us have suffered more than others, but none of us walk away unscathed.

After such an ordeal it’s normal to become angry and bitter, and to blame God. However God is not the one who deceived us with the false teachings of the cult. So please don’t throw out the baby with the bath water! If you’ve lost all faith, perhaps your faith was founded in the organization rather than in God.

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Out of the Watchtower-Now What?

FREE

Maybe you have just woken up to the “Truth about the Truth”, that is the truth about the Watchtower. Maybe you’re still researching. If so, I’d like to recommend some basics, do an internet search, Jehovah’s Witnesses and The Royal Commission, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Pedophile’s, Candace Conti, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the U.N. are all good places to start. Reading websites to investigate?  Jwfacts.com is an excellent site, straight to the point, and loaded with information, always accurate.

If you’ve already found out the lies of the Watchtower and are well on your way with the research, you might be experiencing some fear, which is completely natural, but fear not! Life has just begun!

There is normally a period of adjustment after we leave the Watchtower, after all being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not like any other religion, it is a complete way of life. Our entire life revolves around going to meetings and going door to door, preparing for meetings, attending conventions.  Plus, with the law on shunning, most of us lose our families, friends and reputations once we decided to leave the Watchtower Organization.  If only it were attending Church on Sunday’s it would be relatively easy. Unfortunately it also affects the way we think, behave and interact with others. It can take years to learn how to interact with other people, to forge friendships, even to come back to God, as many who leave willingly or are disfellowshipped also lose their faith in God, as their faith was in the organization. After spiritual abuse, the last thing we may ever want to do is step foot inside a Church! But fear not! Attending a Church regularly is not necessary for salvation!

What most Jehovah’s Witnesses who have just left the cult don’t know, is that thousands leave every year while maintaining faith in God. The natural question to ask is, “Now what? Where do I go?”

The Watchtower is slick, they’ve changed the meaning of the bible verse.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom we shall go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:68

Notice that? It’s not a where, it’s a who! It’s the Lord Jesus who has sayings of everlasting life, and the bible promises that those who have faith in Jesus will have eternal life.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Notice that? Salvation is found in no one else. The Watchtower does not agree, the Watchtower says salvation can only be found in the organization.

“If we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation” (Watchtower Magazine, September 15, 1993, p. 22). Not Jesus?

And then say in the WT March 15 2012 pg. 20 “The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth.” Really? Where does the Bible say that?

“Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.” Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19 Again, really? Where does the Bible say that?

Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization.”  Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 “Are You Prepared for Survival?” Again, really? Where does the Bible say that?

“In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience.” Watchtower 2014 Aug 15 p.21. Really? Where is the evidence please? Can you prove that claim?
Notice please what the Bible says about salvation and how it is found.

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Acts 16:30, 31

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”  13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9,10,11,13

In context we see Romans 10 is talking about the Lord Jesus, if we believe in our heart God raised him from the dead we will be saved and everyone calling on the name of the Lord! Which Lord? The Lord Jesus!

Watchtower has inserted the name Jehovah in this verse, so Jehovah’s Witnesses call upon Jehovah to be saved, but the Bible says we must call upon the Lord, and context tells us it’s the Lord Jesus we must call upon to be saved.

God’s spirit is in His word. If we read the bible and pray for Holy Spirit we are well on the path into God’s eternal truth.

The single best piece of advice I could give you is throw out everything the Watchtower has ever taught you. Their “theology” is dreamed up by men who have never attended college, never gone to Seminary, never learned Hebrew or Greek and never learned Biblical Context. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses are completely unaware that you can take something out of context, a single verse, and apply it in such a way as it was never intended by the author! There are classic examples of the Watchtower doing this, which will be covered in future articles. Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson, admitted on the witness stand (Australia Royal Commission Trial) that he is a high school drop out! The same is true for the founder C.T. Russell! Some of our elders, the ones who teach in the congregations were plumbers! How and in what way are these men qualified to teach the Bible?

It can take investigation, time and independent study before coming to a conclusion about what the Bible really teaches. This is okay! We are not saved by having all our teachings correct! We are saved by faith in Jesus! The Holy Spirit will guide, direct and teach you and eventually you will come to sound Biblical understandings. John 14:26, John 16:13, 1 John 2:27. Be patient with yourself! Rome was not built in a day! We cannot undo years of indoctrination in a day, a week a month or even a year! It takes time! But relax, take it easy on yourself, don’t beat yourself up! Learn how to interact with other people, make friends, and choose them wisely.

Most Jehovah’s Witnesses after they leave the cult, are heart-broken, or angry, confused and don’t know what to believe. The last thing they want to do is go to another Church after the abuse of the Watchtower! That’s okay! I’ve found some good sermons online, that I’ve learned from, sitting at home, having coffee, listening and looking up the Bible verses and you can too!

I was afraid after I left the Watchtower. After all, I had been deceived for eighteen years! I *still* believed the lie, that all the Churches had apostatized and were not to be trusted! So I did not go to Church, did not speak with other Christians, there *were no* online Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Communities in those days. So I floundered, all alone, just me, the Bible and Jehovah God. After twenty-two years of that, I discovered the online community. I can’t tell you how much they helped me!  I also can’t tell you how much the sermons online from Churches helped me! Don’t do what I did, don’t isolate yourself for years, mankind was not meant to live alone in isolation. It is a long, lonely, heart-breaking experience. Let others help you!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1598099360430848/

Help Jehovah’s Witnesses Group-for those that have left the organization

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031504066894317/

Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses Support and Recovery-another group for those that have left the organization

http://libbychristianchurch.com/media.php?pageID=5 Great sermons you can listen to online, by Phil Alspaw of Libby Church, he goes through the Bible chapter by chapter each week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrfnjdrDEKs&list=PLB5r2P47beqJUdLxjVNSVdrw7Iy7CMlF1&index=8 The Meeting Place, Bruxy is the pastor, amazing guy, funny, interesting, great teaching!

 

 

 

Which Covenant Are You In?

BLOG PIC YOUR WORD IS A LIGHT

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were under the Old Law Code, given through Moses. There were six hundred and thirteen laws had to be obeyed. The bible says it was our tutor leading to Christ. “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” Gal. 3:24 A perfect law could not be obeyed perfectly by imperfect people, only the Lord Himself could perfectly obey this law.

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Discussing Revelation 1 with a JW

AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH

A Jehovah’s Witnesses will typically say that Revelation 1:8 is about Jehovah, not about Jesus. How can we overcome this obstacle? It’s simply a matter of examining the entire context of chapter 1 of Revelation, as this is revealed.

First we examine Rev. 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

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Is Jesus Michael?

Does your religion teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel? Is this correct? What does the bible say?

1)  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Right away we notice Jesus is superior to the angels. Hebrews 1:4
2)” For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father Heb. 1:5

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