Matthew 22:34-40 - The Greatest Commandment
34 The Pharisees assembled together when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence. 35 One of them, a lawyer, tested him by asking a question. 36 Teacher what is the greatest commandment in the law?
37 Jesus told him: You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart (Greek: kardia: feelings, emotions), and with all your being, and with your entire mind (Greek: dianoia: understanding). (Deuteronomy 6:5) 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second like it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The law and the prophets are based on these two commandments.
28 One of the other scribes came to him with a question: What commandment is the first of all?
29 Jesus answered: The first is, Hear, O Israel; Jehovah our God is one God (Jehovah). 30 You should love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your being (with every breath you take) (your life), with your entire mind and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
31 The second is you should love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. (Leviticus 19:18)
32 The scribe said to him: It is true teacher you've said it well that he is one and there is no one else besides him. 33 To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently he said to him: You are not far from the kingdom of God. No man dared ask any questions after that.