Exodus 5:6-14 ▼

6 And on that day Pharaoh commands the exactors among the people and its authorities, saying,

7 “You do not add to give straw to the people for the making of the bricks as before—they go and have gathered straw for themselves;

8 and you put on them the proper quantity of the bricks which they are making before, you do not diminish from it, for they are remiss, therefore they are crying, saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to our God;

9 let the service be heavy on the men, and let them work at it, and not be dazzled by lying words.”

10 And the exactors of the people, and its authorities, go out, and speak to the people, saying, “Thus said Pharaoh: I do not give you straw,

11 you—go, take straw for yourselves where you can find [it], for there is nothing diminished of your service.”

12 And the people are scattered over all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw,

13 and the exactors are making haste, saying, “Complete your works, the matter of a day in its day, as when there is straw.”

14 And the authorities of the sons of Israel, whom the exactors of Pharaoh have placed over them, are beaten, saying, “Why have you not completed your portion in making brick as before, both yesterday and today?”