Mark 12:28–34

THE PRIMARY COMMANDS

28 Oneq of the scribesr approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which command is the most important of all?”

29 Jesus answered, “The most importantE is Listen, Israel! The Lords our God, the Lordt is one.F 30 Loveu the Lord your Godv with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,w and with all your strength.G,H,x 31 The second is, Love your neighbory as yourself.I,z There is no other commandaa greater than these.”

32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no oneab else except him.ac 33 And to lovead him with all your heart, with all your understanding,j and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”ae

34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”af And no one daredag to question him any longer.

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q	Mt 22:34–40
r	Mt 2:4
E	Other mss add of all the commands
s	Col 4:1 Jud 5
t	Dt 6:4
F	Or the Lord our God is Lord alone.
u	Lk 6:35
v	Dt 6:5 Lk 10:27
w	1 Jn 5:20
G	Other mss add This is the first commandment.
H	Dt 6:4–5 Jos 22:5
x	Dt 6:4–5 Jos 22:5
y	Lk 10:29
I	Le 19:18
z	Le 19:18 1 Jn 4:21
aa	Mk 7:8
ab	Ro 3:30
ac	Dt 4:35 Dt 4:39 Dt 6:4 Is 37:20 Is 43:10 Is 44:6 Is 45:21
ad	Lk 6:35
j	Other mss add with all your soul
ae	1 Sa 15:22 Ps 51:16 Ho 6:6 Am 5:22 Mic 6:6–8
af	Mk 1:15
ag	Lk 20:40