Don’t eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. Don’t drink blood. Don’t eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And don’t commit sexual sins. You will do well to keep away from these things. Farewell.
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.You must not eat the blood. Pour it out on the ground like water.
“‘ Suppose someone eats meat that still has blood in it. It does not matter whether they are an Israelite or an outsider. I will turn against them if they eat it. I will separate them from their people.The life of each creature is in its blood. So I have given you the blood of animals to pay for your sin on the altar. Blood is life. That is why blood pays for your sin.So I say to the Israelites,“ You must not eat meat that still has blood in it. And an outsider who lives among you must not eat it either.”“‘ Suppose any of you hunts any animal or bird that can be eaten. It does not matter whether you are an Israelite or an outsider. You must let the blood flow out of the animal or bird. You must cover the blood with dirt.
