4
The king of Egypt said to them: Why do you Moses and Aaron draw off the people from their works? Get you gone to your burdens.
5
And Pharao said: The people of the land are numerous; you see that the multitude is increased; how much more if you give them rest from their works?
6
Therefore he commanded the same day the overseers of the works, and the task-masters of the people, saying:
7
You shall give straw no more to the people to make brick, as before; but let them go and gather straw.
8
And you shall lay upon them the task of bricks, which they did before; neither shall you diminish any thing thereof, for they are idle, and therefore they cry. saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9
Let them be oppressed with works, and let them fulfil them; that they may not regard lying words.
10
And the overseers of the works, and the taskmasters, went out and said to the people: Thus saith Pharao: I allow you no straw;
11
Go, and gather it where you can find it; neither shall any thing of your work be diminished.
12
And the people was scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather straw.
13
And the overseers of the works pressed them, saying: Fulfil your work every day, as before ye were wont to do, when straw was given you.
14
And they that were over the works of the children of Israel, were scourged by Pharao’s taskmasters, saying: Why have you not made up the task of bricks, both yesterday and to day, as before?