Chapter 130: Which is the first commandment?

1 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

2 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 3 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

4 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love life, which is a gift from God. There is none other commandment greater than these.

5 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 6 And to love the gift of life with all the heart, and protect it with all will, and with all skill, and with all strength, and to protect his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

7 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art one in the army of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.