Exodus 5:7-14

7“You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are 1lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘2Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

10So 3the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I am not going to give you any straw. 11You go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but none of your labor will be reduced.’” 12So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13The taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your 4work quota, 5your daily amount, just as when 6you had straw.” 14Moreover, 7the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, 8were beaten 9and were asked, “Why have you not completed your required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?”