MSB(i)
7 “You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw.
8 But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
9 Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”
10 So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.
11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it; but your workload will in no way be reduced.’”
12 So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
13 The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.”
14 Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?”
15 So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way?
16 No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”
17 “You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
18 Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”