11. Go and find your own straw wherever you can, but you must still make as many bricks as before.”
12. The slaves went all over Egypt, looking for straw.
13. But the slave bosses were hard on them and kept saying, “Each day you have to make as many bricks as you did when you were given straw.”
14. The bosses beat the men in charge of the slaves and said, “Why didn't you force the slaves to make as many bricks yesterday and today as they did before?”
15. Finally, the men in charge of the slaves went to the king and said, “Why are you treating us like this?
16. No one brings us any straw, but we are still ordered to make the same number of bricks. We are beaten with whips, and your own people are to blame.”
17. The king replied, “You are lazy—nothing but lazy! That's why you keep asking me to let you go and sacrifice to your Lord.
18. Get back to work! You won't be given straw, but you must still make the same number of bricks.”
19. The men knew they were in deep trouble when they were ordered to make the same number of bricks each day.
20. After they left the king, they went to see Moses and Aaron, who had been waiting for them.