Exodus 5:6-9 ▼

6 That day Pharaoh commanded the overseers of the people as well as their foremen,

7 “Don’t continue to supply the people with straw for making bricks, as before. They must go and gather straw for themselves.

8 But require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers—that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

9 Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words.”