And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick as formerly. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the number of the bricks, which they made formerly, ye shall lay upon them. Ye shall not diminish any of it. For they are idle, therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. read more.
Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard lying words. And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus says Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it, for none of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. And the taskmasters were urgent saying, Fulfill your works, [your] daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Why have ye not fulfilled your task both yesterday and today, in making brick as formerly? Then the officers of the sons of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why do thou deal thus with thy servants? There is no straw given to thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick. And, behold, thy servants are beaten, but the fault it in thine own people. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle. Therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to LORD. Go therefore now, and work, for there shall no straw be given you, yet ye shall deliver the number of bricks.