Then Moses and Aaron went and told Pharaoh, "Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: 'Let my people go, that they may keep holy day unto me in the wilderness.'"

And Pharaoh commanded the same day unto the taskmasters over the people and unto the officers, saying,

"See that ye give the people no more straw to make brick withal, as ye did in time past: let them go and gather them straw themselves.

And the number of bricks which they were wont to make in time past, lay unto their charge also, and minish nothing thereof. For they be idle and therefore cry, saying, 'Let us go and do sacrifice unto our God.'

They must have more work laid upon them, that they may labour therein, and then will they not turn themselves to false words."

Then went the taskmasters of the people and the officers out and told the people, saying, "Thus sayeth Pharaoh, "I will give you no more straw,

And the officers of the children of Israel which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten. And it was said unto them, "Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and today, as well as in times past?"

but go yourselves and gather you straw where ye can find it, yet shall none of your labour be minished.'"

Then went the officers of the children of Israel and complained unto Pharaoh saying, "Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

And the taskmasters hasted them forward, saying, "Fulfill your work day by day, even as when straw was given you."

Then the people scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt for to gather them stubble to be instead of straw.

and said unto them, "The LORD look unto you and judge! For ye have made the savour of us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and of his servants, and have put a sword into their hands to slay us."

then they met Moses and Aaron standing in their way as they came out from Pharaoh,

Moses returned unto the LORD and said, "LORD wherefore dealest thou cruelly with this people: and wherefore hast thou sent me?

And Pharaoh answered, "What fellow is the LORD, that I should hear his voice for to let Israel go?

For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath fared foul with this folk, and yet thou hast not delivered thy people at all."

There is no straw given unto thy servants, and yet they say unto us, 'make brick.' And lo, thy servants are beaten, and thy people is foul intreated."

And he answered, "Idle are ye idle, and therefore ye say, 'Let us go and do sacrifice unto the LORD.'

Go therefore and work, for there shall no straw be given you, and yet see that ye deliver the whole tale of brick."

When the officers of the children of Israel saw themself in shrewd case - in that he said, 'ye shall minish nothing of your daily making of brick' -

Then said the king of Egypt unto them, "Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their work? Get you unto your labour."

I know not the LORD, neither will let Israel go." And they said, "The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he smite us either with pestilence or with sword."

And Pharaoh said furthermore, "Behold, there is much people in the land, and ye make them play and let their work stand."