The Primary Commands

28 One o of the * scribes p approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which command is the most important of all?” q

29 “This is the most important,” r Jesus answered:

Listen, Israel! The Lord s our God, the Lord t is One. u 30 Love v the Lord your God w with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, x and with all your strength. y z a

31 “The second is: Love your neighbor b as yourself. c d There is no other command e 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 one f else except Him. g 33 And to love h Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, i and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” j

34 When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” k And no one dared l to question Him any longer.