¹⁶ No one brings us any straw, but we are still ordered to make the same number of bricks. We are beaten with whips, and your own people are to blame.”

¹⁷ The king replied, “You are lazy—nothing but lazy! That's why you keep asking me to let you go and sacrifice to your Lord. ¹⁸ Get back to work! You won't be given straw, but you must still make the same number of bricks.”