12 ²⁸ Then one of the lawyers, who had been listening to these discussions and had noted how well he answered, came forward and asked him, 'Which commandment is first of all?' 12 ^{29 [ Dt.6.4-5, Jos.22.5. ]} Jesus answered, 'The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord your God is the only Lord; 12 ³⁰ love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." 12 ^{31 [ Lv.19.18. ]} The second is this: "Love your neighbour as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.' 12 ^{32 [ Dt.6.4, Dt.4.35, Is.45.21. ]} The lawyer said to him, 'Well said. Master. You are right in saying that God is one and beside him there is no other. 12 ³³ And to love him with all your heart, all your understanding, and all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself—that is far more than any burnt offerings or sacrifices.' 12 ³⁴ When Jesus saw how sensibly he answered, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.'

After that nobody ventured to put any more questions to him.