This day would be the 15th of Abib, but it includes the events that would take place on “that night” (verses 8 and 12). The slaying of the animals was to be on the 14th (see verse 6), but for the Israelites the next day always began at sunset. (For some translations it will be helpful to have a footnote here explaining this.) Since the discussion about unleavened bread does not begin until verse 15, it is better to start a new paragraph with that verse, as in Good News Translation, rather than with verse 14 (so also Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible).

Shall be for you a memorial day, “a day of remembrance for you” (New Revised Standard Version), or in a number of languages, “You must remember this day.” And you shall keep it uses a verb that means to celebrate a pilgrim festival. (See the comment on “hold a feast” at 10.9.) As a feast actually uses the noun meaning a procession or festival. To the LORD makes it “a feast in Yahweh’s honour” (New Jerusalem Bible). Contemporary English Version has “a festival in my honor.” Since this is still Yahweh speaking, it may be more convenient to change the LORD to the first person pronoun. Good News Translation makes this clear: “a religious festival to remind you of what I, the LORD, have done.” In many languages the idea of “religious” in “religious festival” will be difficult to express. In such cases “a festival [or, fiesta] to honor me” will be a more appropriate rendering.

Throughout your generations means “generation after generation” (Revised English Bible) or “throughout the ages” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). You shall observe it repeats the same word for observing a religious festival. Living Bible and Contemporary English Version add “each year,” which is probably implied, but it is not explicit. However, it is much easier to translate than Good News Translation‘s “for all time to come.” Another way to express this is “You and all your descendants must celebrate this ritual each year for ever.” As an ordinance for ever is really a “statute for all time” (Revised English Bible), or a “decree” (New Jerusalem Bible). Durham interprets it as “a requirement forever,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh calls it “an institution for all time.” See the comment on “ordinance” at verse 43. The Hebrew word is chuqqah, one of several words for “law.” (See the discussion of these words in the introduction to 20.22-26.)

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .