⁵ And Pharaoh said, “Behold, ^(A)the people of the land are now many,^[a] and you make them rest from their burdens!”

^7 (A)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, ^(B)who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Behold, ^(C)the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. ^10 (D)Come, ^(E)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 ^(F)to afflict them with heavy ^(G)burdens. They built for Pharaoh ^(H)store cities, Pithom and ^(I)Raamses.