Old Testament

New Testament

Deuteronomy 12:20-31 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

20. The Lord your God will increase your territory, just as he has promised you. When he does, you might get hungry for meat. You might say, "I'd really like some meat." Then you can eat as much of it as you want to.

21. The Lord your God will choose a special place. He will put his Name there. But suppose it's too far away for you to go to it. Then you can kill animals from the herds and flocks the Lord has given you. Do it just as I have commanded you. In your own towns you can eat as much of the meat as you want to.

22. Eat it as you would eat antelope or deer meat. Those who are "clean" and those who are not can eat it.

23. But be sure you don't eat meat that still has blood in it. The blood is the animal's life. So you must not eat the life along with the meat.

24. You must not eat the blood. Pour it out on the ground like water.

25. Don't eat it. Then things will go well with you and your children after you. You will be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

26. But go to the place the Lord will choose. Take with you the things you have set apart for him. Bring what you have promised to give him.

27. Sacrifice your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. Offer the meat and the blood there. The blood of your sacrifices must be poured out beside his altar. But you can eat the meat.

28. Make sure you obey all of the rules I'm giving you. Then things will always go well with you and your children after you. That's because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.

29. You are about to attack the land and take it over as your own. When you do, the Lord your God will cut off the nations who live there. He will do it to make room for you. You will drive them out. You will settle in their land.

30. They will be destroyed to make room for you. But when they are, be careful. Don't be trapped. Don't ask questions about their gods. Don't say, "How do these nations serve their gods? We'll do it in the same way."

31. You must not worship the Lord your God the way they worship their gods. When they worship, they do all kinds of evil things the Lord hates. They even burn up their children in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

Read complete chapter Deuteronomy 12