Exodus 5:5-9

5Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are so numerous, and you would stop them from their labor.”

6That day Pharaoh commanded the overseers of the people as well as their foremen,

7“Don’t continue to supply the people with straw for making bricks, as before. They must go and gather straw for themselves.

8But require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers — that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

9Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words.”