Exodus 5:7–19

⁷Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. ⁸And the number of the bricks they have made heretofore shall ye lay upon them: ye shall not diminish any of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. ⁹Let them put heavier labour on the men, that they may be taken up with it, and not regard vain words.

¹⁰And 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: ¹¹go ye, get yourselves straw where ye may find it; but none of your work shall be diminished. ¹²And the people were scattered abroad throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. ¹³And the taskmasters urged them, saying, Fulfil your labours, the daily work, as when there was straw. ¹⁴And the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and it was said, Why have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and to-day, as heretofore?

¹⁵Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why dost thou deal thus with thy bondmen? ¹⁶There is no straw given to thy bondmen, and they say to us, Make brick; and behold, thy bondmen are beaten, but it is the fault of thy people. ¹⁷And he said, Ye are idle, idle! therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah. ¹⁸And now go—work! and straw shall not be given you, and ye shall deliver the measure of bricks. ¹⁹And the officers of the children of Israel saw that it stood ill with them, because it was said, Ye shall not diminish anything from your bricks, the daily work.