10
And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, "Thus says Pharaoh: 'I will not give you straw.
11
Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.' "
12
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
13
And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, "Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw."
14
Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, "Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?"
15
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, "Why are you dealing thus with your servants?
16
There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, 'Make brick!' And indeed your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people."
17
But he said, "You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.'
18
Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks."
19
And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, "You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota."
20
Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them.