So the same day Pharaoh commanded (A)the taskmasters over the people and their (B)foremen, saying, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make bricks as previously; have them go and gather straw for themselves. But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are (C)lazy, for that reason they cry [a]out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let the labor be heavier on the men, and have them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

10 So (D)the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am not going to give you any straw. 11 You go, get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it; but none of your labor will be reduced.’” 12 So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your [b]work quota, [c]your daily amount, just as when [d]you had straw.” 14 Moreover, (E)the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, (F)were beaten [e]and asked, “Why have you not completed your required task of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?”

15 Then the foremen of the sons of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? 16 There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are (G)lazy, very lazy; for that reason you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, [f]since they were told, “You must not reduce [g]your daily amount of bricks.” 20 When they left Pharaoh’s presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were [h]waiting for them. 21 And (H)they said to them, “(I)May the Lord look upon you and judge you, because you have (J)made [i]us repulsive in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!”

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 5:8 Lit out, saying,
  2. Exodus 5:13 Lit works
  3. Exodus 5:13 Lit the matter of a day in its day
  4. Exodus 5:13 Lit there was
  5. Exodus 5:14 Lit saying
  6. Exodus 5:19 Lit saying
  7. Exodus 5:19 Lit from your bricks the matter of a day in its day
  8. Exodus 5:20 Lit standing to meet
  9. Exodus 5:21 Lit our odor stink

And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the number of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof: for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard lying words.

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. 11 Go yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it; for nought of your work shall be diminished. 12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 And the taskmasters were urgent, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. 14 And the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, [a]and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task both yesterday and to-day, in making brick as heretofore?

15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? 16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. 17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah. 18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the number of bricks. 19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they [b]were in evil case, when it was said, Ye shall not diminish aught from your bricks, your daily tasks. 20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: 21 and they said unto them, Jehovah look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 5:14 Hebrew saying.
  2. Exodus 5:19 Or, were set on mischief, when they said