8. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don't lower the number they have to make. They don't want to work. That's why they are crying out, 'Let us go. We want to offer sacrifices to our God.'
9. Make them work harder. Then they will be too busy to pay attention to lies."
10. The slave drivers and the others who were in charge left. They said to the people, "Pharaoh says, 'I won't give you any more straw.
11. Go and get your own straw anywhere you can find it. But you still have to make the same number of bricks.' "
12. So the people scattered all over Egypt. They went to gather any pieces of straw that were left in the fields.
13. The slave drivers kept making the people work hard. They said, "Finish the work you are required to do each day. Make the same number of bricks you made when you had straw."