And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, Ye shall no longer give the people firewood to make brick as until now; let them go and gather firewood for themselves. And the tally of the bricks which they made before, 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 more work be laid upon them that they may occupy themselves with it; and let them not regard words of deception. And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you firewood. Go ye, gather firewood where ye can find it; yet none of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather brush for firewood. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily quotas, as when there was firewood. And the officers of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and they demanded, Why have ye not fulfilled your quotas in making brick both yesterday and today, as until now? Then the officers of the sons of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Why doest thou deal thus with thy slaves? There is no firewood given unto thy slaves, yet they say to us, Make brick. Behold, thy slaves are beaten; and thy people sin. And he replied, Ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice unto the LORD. Go therefore now and work, for no firewood shall be given you, yet ye shall deliver the tally of bricks.