New English Translation

Deuteronomy 12:20-26 New English Translation (NET)

20. When the Lord your God extends your borders as he said he would do and you say, “I want to eat meat just as I please,” you may do so as you wish.

21. If the place he chooses to locate his name is too far for you, you may slaughter any of your herd and flock he has given you just as I have stipulated; you may eat them in your villages just as you wish.

22. Like you eat the gazelle or ibex, so you may eat these; the ritually impure and pure alike may eat them.

23. However, by no means eat the blood, for the blood is life itself – you must not eat the life with the meat!

24. You must not eat it! You must pour it out on the ground like water.

25. You must not eat it so that it may go well with you and your children after you; you will be doing what is right in the Lord’s sight.

26. Only the holy things and votive offerings that belong to you, you must pick up and take to the place the Lord will choose.