Mark 12:28-34

Living Bible

²⁸ One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ Jesus replied, “The one that says, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. ³⁰ And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’

³¹ “The second is: ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”

³² The teacher of religion replied, “Sir, you have spoken a true word in saying that there is only one God and no other. ³³ And I know it is far more important to love him with all my heart and understanding and strength, and to love others as myself, than to offer all kinds of sacrifices on the altar of the Temple.”

³⁴ Realizing this man’s understanding, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared ask him any more questions.