Leviticus 22:17-25

Expanded Bible

¹⁷ The Lord said to Moses, ¹⁸ “Tell Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel: ‘A ·citizen of [^Lperson from the house of] Israel or a ·foreigner living [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] in Israel might want to bring a whole burnt offering [1:1–17], either for ·some special promise he has made [a vow] or for a ·special gift he wants to give [freewill offering] to the Lord. ¹⁹ If he does, he must bring a male animal that has ·nothing wrong with it [no blemish]—a bull, a sheep, or a goat—so it might be accepted for him. ²⁰ He must not bring an animal that has ·something wrong with it [a blemish], or it will not be accepted for him.

²¹ “‘If someone brings a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [3:1] to the Lord, either as ·payment [fulfillment] for a ·special promise the person has made [vow] or as a ·special gift the person wants to give the Lord [freewill offering], it might be from the herd or from the flock. But it must be ·healthy [perfect], with ·nothing wrong with it [no blemish], so that it will be accepted. ²² You must not offer to the Lord any animal that is blind, that has broken bones or is crippled, that has running sores or any sort of ·skin disease [^Litch or scabs]. You must not offer any animals like these on the altar as an offering by fire to the Lord.

²³ “‘If an ox or lamb ·is smaller than normal [or has a short tail] or is not perfectly formed, you may give it as a ·special gift to the Lord [freewill offering]; it will be accepted. But it will not be accepted as payment for a ·special promise you have made [vow].

²⁴ “‘If an animal has bruised, crushed, torn, or cut testicles, you must not offer it to the Lord. You must not do this in your own land, ²⁵ and you must not ·take [get] such animals from foreigners as sacrifices to the Lord. Because the animals have been hurt in some way and have ·something wrong with them [blemishes], they will not be accepted for you.’”