Exodus 5:6-14 ▼

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

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

8 But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, for that reason they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

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

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

11 You go, 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 And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your work quota, your daily amount, just as when you had straw.”

14 Moreover, the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not completed your required task of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?”