rsv Exodus:5:7-18 SEEK
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You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks ,
as heretofore ;
let them go and gather straw for themselves .
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But the number of bricks which they made heretofore you shall lay upon them ,
you shall by no means lessen it ;
for they are idle ;
therefore they cry , `
Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God .'
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Let heavier work be laid upon the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words ."
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So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people , "
Thus says Pharaoh , `
I will not give you straw .
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Go yourselves ,
get your straw wherever you can find it ;
but your work will not be lessened in the least .'"
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So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt ,
to gather stubble for straw .
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The taskmasters were urgent ,
saying , "
Complete your work ,
your daily task ,
as when there was straw ."
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And the foremen of the people of Israel ,
whom Pharaoh '
s taskmasters had set over them ,
were beaten ,
and were asked , "
Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today ,
as hitherto ?"
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Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh , "
Why do you deal thus with your servants ?
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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 ."
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But he said , "
You are idle ,
you are idle ;
therefore you say , `
Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD .'
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Go now ,
and work ;
for no straw shall be given you ,
yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks ."