1. THE Lord said to Moses,
2. Sanctify (consecrate, set apart) to Me all the firstborn [males]; whatever is first to open the womb among the Israelites, both of man and of beast, is Mine.
3. And Moses said to the people, [Earnestly] remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage and bondmen, for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place; no leavened bread shall be eaten.
4. This day you go forth in the month Abib.
5. And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which He promised and swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty], you shall keep this service in this month.
6. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread and the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
7. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, neither shall there be leaven in all your territory.
8. You shall explain to your son on that day, This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.
9. It shall be as a sign to you upon your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.
10. You shall therefore keep this ordinance at this time from year to year.
11. And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He promised and swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,
12. You shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstlings of your livestock that are males shall be the Lord's.