| New International Version | New International Version |
| 1Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.'" | 1Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.'" |
| 2Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." | 2Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." |
| 3Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." | 3Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." |
| 4But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" | 4But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" |
| 5Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." | 5Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." |
| 6That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: | 6That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: |
| 7"You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. | 7"You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. |
| 8But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' | 8But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' |
| 9Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." | 9Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." |
| 10Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. | 10Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. |
| 11Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" | 11Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" |
| 12So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. | 12So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. |
| 13The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." | 13The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." |
| 14And Pharaoh's slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, "Why haven't you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?" | 14And Pharaoh's slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, "Why haven't you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?" |
| 15Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? | 15Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? |
| 16Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people." | 16Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people." |
| 17Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are--lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' | 17Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are--lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' |
| 18Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." | 18Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." |
| 19The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." | 19The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." |
| 20When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, | 20When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, |
| 21and they said, "May the LORD look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." | 21and they said, "May the LORD look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." |
| 22Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? | 22Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? |
| 23Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." | 23Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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