9
Let more work be laid upon them that they may occupy themselves with it; and let them not regard words of deception.
10
And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you firewood.
11
Go ye, gather firewood where ye can find it; yet none of your work shall be diminished.
12
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather brush for firewood.
13
And the taskmasters hasted
them, saying, Fulfil your works,
your daily quotas, as when there was firewood.
14
And the officers of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten,
and they demanded, Why have ye not fulfilled your quotas in making brick both yesterday and today, as until now?
15
Then the officers of the sons of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Why doest thou deal thus with thy slaves?
16
There is no firewood given unto thy slaves, yet they say to us, Make brick. Behold, thy slaves
are beaten; and thy people sin.
17
And he replied, Ye
are idle,
ye are idle, therefore ye say, Let us go
and sacrifice unto the LORD.
18
Go therefore now
and work, for no firewood shall be given you, yet ye shall deliver the tally of bricks.
19
Then the officers of the sons of Israel saw
that they
were afflicted after it was said, Ye shall not diminish any from the bricks of your daily quota.