12. So the people were scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather the short stubble instead of straw.
13. And the taskmasters were urgent, saying, Finish your work, your daily quotas, as when there was straw.
14. And the Hebrew foremen, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, Why have you not fulfilled all your quota of making bricks yesterday and today, as before?
15. Then the Hebrew foremen came to Pharaoh and cried, Why do you deal like this with your servants?
16. No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, Make bricks! And behold, your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people.
17. But [Pharaoh] said, You are idle, lazy and idle! That is why you say, Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.
18. Get out now and get to work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the full quota of bricks.