Exodus 5

1 After Moses and Aaron arrived, they told Pharaoh, “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘Let my people go so they may make a pilgrimage for me in the desert.’”ISV — Exodus 5:1

2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should listen to ^{a5:2 Or obey} him and let Israel go? I don’t know about ^{b5:2 The Heb. lacks about} the LORD, nor will I let Israel go!”ISV — Exodus 5:2

3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God so he does not strike us with pestilence or sword.” ^{c5:3 i.e. invasions by foreign armies}ISV — Exodus 5:3

4 The king of Egypt replied to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you keeping the people from their labor? Go back to your work!” ^{d5:4 Lit. burdens}ISV — Exodus 5:4

5 Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people in the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.” ^{e5:5 Lit. from their burdens}ISV — Exodus 5:5

6 That day Pharaoh ordered the taskmasters of the people and their officials,ISV — Exodus 5:6

7 “You’re no longer to give the people straw for making bricks, as in the past. ^{f5:7 Lit. like yesterday and the day before} They must gather straw for themselves.ISV — Exodus 5:7

8 But you’re to impose the previous quota ^{g5:8 Lit. as yesterday and the day before} of bricks that they’re making. You’re not to reduce it! It is because they’re lazy that they’re crying out, ‘Let’s go offer sacrifices to our God.’ISV — Exodus 5:8

9 So increase the work load on the people, ^{h5:9 Or men} and let them do it so they don’t pay attention to deceptive speeches.”ISV — Exodus 5:9

10 Then the taskmasters of the people and their officials went out and told the people, “This is Pharaoh’s response: ‘I’ll no longer give you any ^{i5:10 The Heb. lacks any} straw.ISV — Exodus 5:10

11 Go get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work quotas won’t be reduced at all.’” ^{j5:11 Lit. from your labor}ISV — Exodus 5:11

12 So the people scattered throughout the entire land of Egypt to collect stubble ^{k5:12 i.e. the stalks left in the field after grain is harvested} for straw.ISV — Exodus 5:12

13 The taskmasters pressured them by saying, “Finish your work—each day’s quota ^{l5:13 Lit. matter} —just as when you were given straw.” ^{m5:13 Lit. when there was straw.}ISV — Exodus 5:13

14 The Israeli supervisors whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had appointed over them were beaten and told, ^{n5:14 Lit. saying.} “Why didn’t you, both yesterday and today, fulfill ^{o5:14 Lit. complete} your quota ^{p5:14 Lit. prescribed amount} for making bricks as before?”ISV — Exodus 5:14

15 The Israeli supervisors came and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you doing this to us? ^{q5:15 Lit. your servants; and so throughout the book}ISV — Exodus 5:15

16 No straw is being given to us, yet they’re saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, we are being beaten. It’s wrong how you are treating your people!”ISV — Exodus 5:16

17 Then Pharaoh ^{r5:17 Lit. he} said, “You are lazy, lazy! That’s why ^{s5:17 Lit. therefore} you’re saying, ‘Let’s go offer sacrifices to the LORD.’ISV — Exodus 5:17

18 Now, go! Get to work! And straw won’t be given to you, but you are to deliver the same ^{t5:18 The Heb. lacks same} number of bricks!”ISV — Exodus 5:18

19 The Israeli supervisors realized they were in trouble when he said, ^{u5:19 Lit. saying} “You won’t reduce each day’s quota of bricks!” ^{v5:19 Lit. your bricks}ISV — Exodus 5:19

20 As they left Pharaoh’s presence, ^{w5:20 Lit. from with} they met Moses and Aaron standing there. ^{x5:20 The Heb. lacks there}ISV — Exodus 5:20

21 The supervisors ^{y5:21 Lit. they} told them, “May the LORD look on you and judge you! ^{z5:21 The Heb. lacks you} You have made us repulsive to ^{aa5:21 Lit. made our odor stink in the eyes of} Pharaoh and his servants. You have put ^{bb5:21 Lit. servants to give} a sword in their hands to kill us.”ISV — Exodus 5:21

22 So Moses returned to the LORD and asked him, “LORD, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why have you sent me here?ISV — Exodus 5:22

23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have done nothing to deliver your people.”ISV — Exodus 5:23