Exodus 5

1 And afterward Moses (Mosheh) and Aaron (Aharon) went in, and told Pharaoh (Paroh), “Thus saith יהוה God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael), ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.’”

2 And Pharaoh (Paroh) said, “Who is יהוה, that I should obey His voice to let Yisrael go? I know not יהוה, neither will I let Yisrael go.”

3 And they said, “The God (Elohim) of the Hebrews (Ivrim) hath met with us. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice unto יהוה our God (Elohim); lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.”

4 And the king of Egypt (Mitsrayim) said unto them, “Wherefore do you, Moses (Mosheh) and Aaron (Aharon), let the people from their works? Get back unto your labors.”

5 And Pharaoh (Paroh) said, “Behold, the people of the land now are many, and you make them rest from their labors!”

6 And Pharaoh (Paroh) commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

7 “You shall no more give the people straw to make brick as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make before, you shall lay upon them; you shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God (Elohim).’

9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.”

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, “Thus saith Pharaoh (Paroh), ‘I will not give you straw.

11 Go you, get you straw where you can find it; yet none of your work shall be diminished.’”

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt (Mitsrayim) to gather stubble instead of straw.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, “Fulfill your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.”

14 And the officers of the children of Yisrael, whom Pharaoh (Paroh)’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, “Wherefore have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?”

15 Then the officers of the children of Yisrael came and cried unto Pharaoh (Paroh), saying, “Wherefore dealest you thus with your servants?

16 There is no straw given unto your servants, and they say to us, ‘Make brick’; and, behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”

17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and do sacrifice to יהוה.’

18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall you deliver the tale of bricks.”

19 And the officers of the children of Yisrael did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily task.”

20 And they met Moses (Mosheh) and Aaron (Aharon), who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh (Paroh);

21 And they said unto them, “יהוה look upon you, and judge; because you have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh (Paroh), and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.”

22 And Moses (Mosheh) returned unto יהוה, and said, “Lord (Adonai), wherefore have You so evil entreated this people? Why is it that You have sent me?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh (Paroh) to speak in Your name, he hath done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”