This verse is in contrast with the preceding one because it does not involve burning. Therefore it may be well to introduce it with a conjunction like “However” or “But.”

You may bring them: as in Revised Standard Version, many versions interpret this verb as giving permission rather than actually requiring that the first fruits be brought to the LORD. Others, however, see it as a strict requirement. In addition to Good News Translation and a number of French versions, the following English renderings should be noted: “you shall bring them” (New American Standard Bible) and “you shall present them” (New English Bible). It is also worthy of note that while the English version of Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible have “you may offer them,” both the 1955 and the 1973 French version of La Bible de Jérusalem have “you shall offer them.” In many languages the passive of Good News Translation will not be a possible solution. If this is the case, probably an expression indicating permission as in Revised Standard Version is best.

Them: this pronoun seems to refer to the grain offerings made with yeast or honey mentioned in verse 11. They are acceptable as first fruits but are not to be burned on the altar.

First fruits: the first fruits were regularly offered by the people of Israel at their yearly harvest festival which is sometimes known as the Festival of Weeks (Lev 23.15-22). The first grain harvested, like the first born animal or child, was thought to belong particularly to the LORD. The word used here is not the same as in verse 14. In this case it means simply “beginning” but refers to grain in this context. In other contexts it is used to refer to wine, oil, and honey as well as to grain (2 Chr 31.5). In these cases they seem not to have been burned, even partially, on the altar. Probably they were simply given to the priests to be presented to God before they ate them.

For a pleasing odor: because this is repetitious and is a part of what is being negated, Good News Translation has seen fit to omit it. Other languages may also prefer to leave this information implicit.

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 .