7. You shall no more give the people straw to make brick; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8. But the number of the bricks which they made before you shall still require of them; you shall not diminish it in the least. For they are idle; that is why they cry, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9. Let heavier work be laid upon the men that they may labor at it and pay no attention to lying words.
10. The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they said to the people, Thus says Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
11. Go, get straw where you can find it; but your work shall not be diminished in the least.
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.