12 So the people spread out through all the land of Egypt to collect stubble for straw.
13 The slave masters were pressuring them, saying, “Complete your work for each day, just like when there was straw!”
14 The Israelite foremen whom Pharaoh’s slave masters had set over them were beaten and were asked, “Why did you not complete your requirement for brickmaking as in the past – both yesterday and today?”
15 The Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating your servants this way?
16 No straw is given to your servants, but we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Your servants are even being beaten, but the fault is with your people.”
17 But Pharaoh replied, “You are slackers! Slackers! That is why you are saying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to the Lord.’
18 So now, get back to work! You will not be given straw, but you must still produce your quota of bricks!”