Although the wording is slightly different here, the meaning of the first phrase in this verse is the same as verse 11, “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” Good News Translation has therefore translated the two expressions identically. In Revised Standard Version the same meaning is again repeated later in the verse.

Therefore: both Good News Translation and New International Version have “that is why….” The fact already stated explains why the LORD has forbidden the eating of meat from which the blood has not been drained.

I: to be changed to “the LORD” if indirect speech is used.

Eat the blood: see verse 10.

Be cut off: see 7.20 as well as verses 4, 9, and 10.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .