12. So the people went everywhere in Egypt looking for dry stalks to use for straw.
13. The slave masters kept forcing the people to work harder. They said, “You must make just as many bricks as you did when you were given straw.”
14. The king’s slave masters had chosen the Israelite foremen. They had made them responsible for the work the people did. The Egyptian slave masters beat these men and asked them, “Why aren’t you making as many bricks as you made in the past?”
15. Then the Israelite foremen went to the king. They complained and said, “Why are you treating us, your servants, this way?
16. You give us no straw. But we are commanded to make bricks. Our slave masters beat us. But it is your own people’s fault.”
17. The king answered, “You are lazy! You don’t want to work! That is why you ask to leave here and make sacrifices to the Lord.
18. Now, go back to work! We will not give you any straw. But you must make just as many bricks as you did before.”
19. The Israelite foremen knew they were in trouble. This was because the king had told them: “You must make just as many bricks each day as you did before.”
20. As they were leaving the meeting with the king, they met Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron were waiting for them.
21. So they said to Moses and Aaron, “May the Lord punish you. You caused the king and his officers to hate us. You have given them an excuse to kill us.”
22. Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have you brought this trouble on your people? Is this why you sent me here?
23. I went to the king and said what you told me to say. But ever since that time he has made the people suffer. And you have done nothing to save them.”