Exodus 1:6-13

English Standard Version

⁶ Then ^(A)Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. ^7 (B)But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Pharaoh Oppresses Israel

⁸ Now there arose a new king over Egypt, ^(C)who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Behold, ^(D)the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. ^10 (E)Come, ^(F)let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” ¹¹ Therefore they set taskmasters over them ^(G)to afflict them with heavy ^(H)burdens. They built for Pharaoh ^(I)store cities, Pithom and ^(J)Raamses. ¹² But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. ¹³ So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel ^(K)work as slaves