The Sanctity of Blood
1 And theLordspoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which theLordhas commanded, saying:
3 “Whatever man of the house of Israel whokills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp,
4 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to theLordbefore the tabernacle of theLord, the guilt of bloodshed shall beimputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people,
5 to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrificeswhich they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to theLordat the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to theLord.
6 And the priestshall sprinkle the blood on the altar of theLordat the door of the tabernacle of meeting, andburn the fat for a sweet aroma to theLord.
7 They shall no more offer their sacrificesto demons, after whom theyhave played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” ’
8 “Also you shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you,who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9 and does notbring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to theLord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.
10 ‘And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood,I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
11 For thelife of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altarto make atonement for your souls; forit is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
12 Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’
13 “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, whohunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shallpour out its blood andcover it with dust;
14 for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’
15 “And every person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a native of your own country or a stranger,he shall both wash his clothes andbathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean.
16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, thenhe shall bear his guilt.”