But I will bring judgment: but contrasts the present clause with the previous one. In this context the verb bring judgment has the sense of calling someone to account, to execute justice, and so “to punish” (Good News Translation).

The nation which they serve: some translations adjust this expression so that the nation is the subject of the verb; for example, “the nation that enslaves them” (Good News Translation). We may also say “The nation that makes them its slaves.”

And afterward means “after I have punished the nation.”

They shall come out: they refers to Abram’s descendants. Come out means to leave, depart from the nation in which they are slaves.

With great possessions: possessions, as in 12.5, refers to movable property and so includes animals as well as camp baggage and valuables such as gold and silver. Good News Translation says “… great wealth with them.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .