Exodus 5:7-14

7“Do not supply any more straw for making bricks. Make the people get it themselves!

8But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’

9Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to lies!”

10So the slave drivers and foremen went out and told the people: “This is what Pharaoh says: I will not provide any more straw for you.

11Go and get it yourselves. Find it wherever you can. But you must produce just as many bricks as before!”

12So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt in search of stubble to use as straw.

13Meanwhile, the Egyptian slave drivers continued to push hard. “Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did when we provided you with straw!” they demanded.

14Then they whipped the Israelite foremen they had put in charge of the work crews. “Why haven’t you met your quotas either yesterday or today?” they demanded.