Compare Deuteronomy 17.1 and Malachi 1.8.

A literal rendering of the structure of this verse may sound odd in many languages. It is a general prohibition, but the consequence of violating the prohibition is given. One way to handle the structure is to say “You must not … But if you do…” or, as in Good News Translation, “If you offer…, the LORD….”

Anything: the word used here is very general, but the context requires “any animal,” as in Good News Translation. Moffatt has “any victim.”

It will not be acceptable: or, in those languages where the passive is not appropriate, “the LORD will not accept it” (if indirect discourse is being used) and “I will not accept it” (where it is a part of direct discourse). Another suggestion is “it will not earn you my [God’s] favor.”

For you: this carries the idea of “on your behalf” but may be better left implicit in some languages.

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 .