If you do this is really “If you do this davar” (see verse 16.). And God so commands you is literally “and God commands you.” The so is added to give the meaning that God (ʾelohim) is indeed commanding Moses to select judges. But other meanings are possible: Revised English Bible “If you do this, then God will direct you”; New Jerusalem Bible “If you do this—and may God so command you—”; Moffatt “If you do this, supposing that God so orders you”; Fox “If you do [this in] this matter when God commands you [further].” The meaning followed by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, and others represents the majority opinion and should be followed in translation. Another way to express this is “God commands this, so if you do it…” or “This is the way God wants you to do it. If you follow his command, you will….”

Then you will be able to endure is literally “and you will be able to take your stand.” The verb is the same as in verse 13, but the context here suggests “you will be able to stand the strain” (New International Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or, as Good News Translation renders it, “you will not wear yourself out.”

And all this people reflects the singular form of people, but New Revised Standard Version has improved the English: “and all these people” (see also Good News Translation). Also is in the Hebrew, giving the meaning of “not only you, but also these people.” Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, and others omit also as unnecessary. Will go to their place in peace means that “they will go home satisfied” (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Peace (shalom), however, often carries the meaning of harmony and well-being within the community, so New English Bible has “will here and now regain peace and harmony.” Revised English Bible has even over-extended the meaning of their place to the promised land: “this whole people will arrive at its destination in harmony.” The safest interpretation is Good News Translation‘s, “all these people can go home with their disputes settled.” However, if translators want to keep the idea of shalom or “well-being,” one may translate “all these people can go home with peaceful hearts, because their disputes have been settled.” In languages that do not use the passive voice, one may say “… because the others have helped you to settle their disputes.”

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 .