16. You didn't give us any straw. But you told us, 'Make bricks!' We are being whipped. But it's the fault of your own people."
17. Pharaoh said, "You just don't want to work! That's why you keep saying, 'Let us go. We want to offer sacrifices to the Lord.'
18. Now get to work. We won't give you any straw. But you still have to make the same number of bricks."
19. The Israelites who were in charge of the people realized they were in trouble. They knew it when they were told, "Don't lower the number of bricks you are required to make each day."
20. When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them.