Pharaoh’s First Refusal

1After that, Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) went to Pharaoh (great house) and said, “This is what the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

2But Pharaoh (great house) replied, “Who is the LORD {YHWH} that I should obey His voice and let Israel (he wrestles with God) go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

3“The God {Elohe} of the Hebrews (those from beyond) has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD {YHWH} our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

4But the king of Egypt (land of bondage) said to them, “Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), why do you⁺ draw the people away from their work? Get back to your⁺ labor!” 5Pharaoh (great house) also said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you⁺ would be stopping them from their labor.”

Bricks and Straw

6That same day Pharaoh (great house) commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen: 7“You⁺ shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. 8But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God {Elohehenu}.’ 9Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”

10So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh (great house) says: ‘I am no longer giving you⁺ straw. 11Go and get your⁺ own straw wherever you⁺ can find it; but your⁺ workload will in no way be reduced.’”

12So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt (land of bondage) to gather stubble for straw. 13The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your⁺ quota each day, just as you⁺ did when straw was provided.”

14Then the Israelite (he wrestles with God) foremen, whom Pharaoh’s (great house) taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you⁺ not fulfilled your⁺ quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?”

The Cry of the Israelites

15So the Israelite (he wrestles with God) foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh (great house): “Why are you treating your servants this way? 16No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”

17“You⁺ are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you⁺ keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD {YHWH}.’ 18Now get to work. You⁺ will be given no straw, yet you⁺ must deliver the full quota of bricks.”

19The Israelite (he wrestles with God) foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You⁺ must not reduce your⁺ daily quota of bricks.” 20When they left Pharaoh (great house), they confronted Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), who stood waiting to meet them.

21“May the LORD {YHWH} look upon you⁺ and judge you⁺,” the foremen said, “for you⁺ have made us a stench before Pharaoh (great house) and his officials; you⁺ have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!”

22So Moses (drawn out) returned to the LORD {YHWH} and asked, “Lord {Adonai}, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? 23Ever since I went to Pharaoh (great house) to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”