Deuteronomy 12:20-28

International Children’s Bible

²⁰ The Lord your God will enlarge your country as he has promised. And you will want some meat. You will say, “I want some meat.” Eat as much meat as you want. ²¹ The Lord your God will choose a place where he is to be worshiped. But it may be too far away from you. If it is, you may kill animals from your herds and flocks. The Lord has given them to you. I have commanded that you may do this. You may eat as much of them as you want in your own towns. ²² Eat them as you would eat gazelle or deer meat. Both clean and unclean people may eat this meat. ²³ But be sure you don’t eat the blood. The life is in the blood. Don’t eat the life with the meat. ²⁴ Don’t eat the blood. Pour it out on the ground like water. ²⁵ Don’t eat it. Then things will go well for you and your children. You will be doing what the Lord says is right.

²⁶ Take your holy things and the things you have promised to give. And go to the place the Lord will choose. ²⁷ Present your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. Offer both the meat and the blood. The blood of your sacrifices should be poured beside the altar. But you may eat the meat. ²⁸ Be careful to obey all the rules I am giving you. Then things will always go well for you and your children. You will be doing what the Lord your God says is good and right.