5. Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens.”
6. The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7. “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8. The number of the bricks, which they made before, you require from them. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’
9. Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labour in it; and don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”
10. The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw.
11. Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’”
12. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.