He shall take: the translation of this verb should not give the impression of taking the animals by force or against the will of the Israelite community. The verb “receive” is used in both New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible, while “procure” is found in An American Translation. Good News Translation turns the sentence around, making the people of Israel the subject, and simply says “shall give.”

Two male goats: see 9.3-4.

For a sin offering: the following verses indicate that only one of these goats is actually offered as a sin offering. The other one is allowed to live but is chased out into the desert (verses 20-22). If the translator feels it necessary, this may be translated “two goats suitable (or, acceptable) for a sin offering” or “two goats that could be offered for sin.”

Ram … burnt offering: see verse 3 and 1.10-13.

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 .