22:39a

And a second: This phrase refers to a second commandment. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

And a second commandment
-or-
The second most important commandment (Contemporary English Version)

is like it: This phrase probably means that this second commandment is also a command to love. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

is like the first (New Century Version)

22:39b

Verse 22:39b is a quote from Leviticus 19:18. You may want to add a footnote with this reference in your translation. This same quotation is in Matthew 19:19b. Translate it the same way in both places.

You shall love: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as You shall love is in the future tense. It is a way to give a command.

Here are some other ways to translate this command:

Love (New International Version)
-or-
You love
-or-
You must love (New Jerusalem Bible)

In Greek, this command is singular. But it is a command to everyone. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a plural here. For example:

You (plur.) love

your neighbor: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as neighbor originally referred to someone who lives nearby.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your followman/countryman
-or-
the people around you
-or-
your companion

as yourself: The phrase means love those around you in the same way that you love and care for your own self.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as you love yourself (Good News Translation)

-or-

as much as you love yourself (Contemporary English Version)

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