7
"You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8
And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'
9
Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words."
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.'