How can I convert a table-formatted string into a table without using load() or loadstring()?

Another question (String to Table in Lua) has asked how to convert a string that is formatted as a table into a string, and the given answer was to use `loadstring` or `load` to convert the string into a chunk that is then executed. I also have a program that downloads a file that is formatted like a lua table using `http.request` just like the other question: ``` yourTable = http.request("http://www.somesite.com/table.txt") print(yourTable) --yourTable is a string that is formatted like a lua table, but not a table: a={ b = { c = 1, d = { e = { }, }, }, } functionThatExpectsATable(yourTable) --throws error because yourTable is a string ``` While I could use `load` or `loadstring` to get the table I want, that is a potential security vulnerability because my program, by design, allows the user to input any URL to load their table data from. If they pointed to lua code instead of a lua-formatted table, that code would be executed. How can I convert the "table-formatted string" into a table without executing it?