6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded athe taskmasters over the people and their bforemen, saying,

7 “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 “But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are alazy, therefore they cry out, ‘1Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

9 “Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

10 So athe taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I am not going to give you any straw.

11 ‘You go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but none of your labor will be reduced.’ ”

12 So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

13 The taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your 1work quota, 2your daily amount, just as when 3you had straw.”

14 Moreover, athe foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, bwere beaten 1and were asked, “Why have you not completed your required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?”