20 “When the Lord your God extends your border (A)as He has [a]promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because [b]you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, [c]whatever you desire. 21 If the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter animals from your herd and flock which the Lord has given you, as I have commanded you; and you may eat within your gates [d]whatever you desire. 22 Just as a gazelle or a deer is eaten, so you may eat it; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it. 23 Only be sure (B)not to eat the blood, for the blood is the [e]life, and you shall not eat the [f]life with the flesh. 24 You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the ground like water. 25 You shall not eat it, so that (C)it may go well for you and your sons after you, since (D)you will be doing what is right in the sight of the Lord. 26 (E)Only your holy things which you may have and your vowed offerings, you shall take and go to the place which the Lord chooses. 27 And (F)you shall offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of the Lord your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, and (G)you shall eat the flesh.

28 “Be careful and listen to all these words which I am commanding you, so that (H)it may go well for you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 12:20 Lit spoken to
  2. Deuteronomy 12:20 Lit your soul desires
  3. Deuteronomy 12:20 Lit in every desire of your soul
  4. Deuteronomy 12:21 Lit in every desire of your soul
  5. Deuteronomy 12:23 Lit soul
  6. Deuteronomy 12:23 Lit soul

20 “When the Lord your God enlarges your territory as He has promised you,(A) and you say, ‘I want to eat meat’ because you have a strong desire to eat meat, you may eat it whenever you want. 21 If the place where Yahweh your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, you may slaughter any of your herd or flock He has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat it within your gates whenever you want. 22 Indeed, you may eat it as the gazelle and deer are eaten; both the clean and the unclean may eat it. 23 But don’t eat the blood, since the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. 24 Do not eat blood; pour it on the ground like water. 25 Do not eat it, so that you and your children after you will prosper, because you will be doing what is right in the Lord’s sight.

26 “But you are to take the holy offerings you have and your vow offerings and go to the place the Lord chooses. 27 Present the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. The blood of your other sacrifices is to be poured out beside the altar of the Lord your God, but you may eat the meat. 28 Be careful to obey all these things I command you, so that you and your children after you may prosper forever, because you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

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