28One of the scribes went to Jesus during the argument with the Sadducees. He saw how well Jesus answered them, so he asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of them all?"
29Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.
30So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
31The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."
32The scribe said to Jesus, "Teacher, that was well said! You've told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him!
33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34When Jesus heard how wisely the man answered, he told the man, "You're not too far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one dared to ask him another question.
35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courtyard, he asked, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is David's son?
36David, guided by the Holy Spirit, said, 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Take the highest position in heaven until I put your enemies under your control."'
37David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?" The large crowd enjoyed listening to him.
38As he taught, he said, "Watch out for the scribes! They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and to have the front seats in synagogues and the places of honor at dinners. 40They rob widows by taking their houses and then say long prayers to make themselves look good. The scribes will receive the most severe punishment."
41As Jesus sat facing the temple offering box, he watched how [much] money people put into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent. 43He called his disciples and said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. 44All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."
