16-18 But you may not eat the blood. Pour the blood out on the ground like water. Nor may you eat there the tithe of your grain, new wine, or olive oil; nor the firstborn of your herds and flocks; nor any of the Vow-Offerings that you vow; nor your Freewill-Offerings and Tribute-Offerings. All these you must eat in the Presence of God, your God, in the place God, your God, chooses—you, your son and daughter, your servant and maid, and the Levite who lives in your neighborhood. You are to celebrate in the Presence of God, your God, all the things you’ve been able to accomplish.

19 And make sure that for as long as you live on your land you never, never neglect the Levite.

20-22 When God, your God, expands your territory as he promised he would do, and you say, “I’m hungry for meat,” because you happen to be craving meat at the time, go ahead and eat as much meat as you want. If you’re too far away from the place that God, your God, has marked with his name, it’s all right to slaughter animals from your herds and flocks that God has given you, as I’ve commanded you. In your own towns you may eat as much of them as you want. Just as the nonsacrificial animals like the gazelle and deer are eaten, you may eat them; the ritually unclean and clean may eat them at the same table.

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18 Instead, you are to eat(A) them in the presence of the Lord your God at the place the Lord your God will choose(B)—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice(C) before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to. 19 Be careful not to neglect the Levites(D) as long as you live in your land.(E)

20 When the Lord your God has enlarged your territory(F) as he promised(G) you, and you crave meat(H) and say, “I would like some meat,” then you may eat as much of it as you want.

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