Study Desk

So the same day Pharaoh commanded ^(C1)the taskmasters over the people and their ^(C2)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 ^(C1)lazy, for that reason they cry ^(F1)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."

So ^(C1)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.

'You go, get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it; but none of your labor will be reduced.'"

So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, "Complete your ^(F1)work quota, ^(F2)your daily amount, just as when ^(F3)you had straw."

Moreover, ^(C1)the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, ^(C2)were beaten ^(F1)and asked, "Why have you not completed your required task of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?"

Then the foremen of the sons of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, "Why do you deal this way with your servants?

"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."

But he said, "You are ^(C1)lazy, very lazy; for that reason you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.'

"So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks."

The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, ^(F1)since they were told, "You must not reduce ^(F2)your daily amount of bricks."

When they left Pharaoh's presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were ^(F1)waiting for them.

And ^(C1)they said to them, "^(C2)May the LORD look upon you and judge you, because you have ^(C3)made ^(F1)us repulsive in Pharaoh's sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!"