Now it cameabout in thosedays,when Moseshad grownup, that he wentout to his brethrenand lookedon their hardlabors;and he sawan Egyptianbeatinga Hebrew,oneof his brethren.
So they appointedtaskmastersoverthem to afflictthem with hardlabor.And they builtfor Pharaohstoragecities,Pithomand Raamses.
The LORDsaid,"I have surelyseenthe afflictionof My peoplewhoare in Egypt,and have givenheedto their crybecauseof their taskmasters,for I am awareof their sufferings.
Moreover, the foremenof the sonsof Israel,whomPharaoh'staskmastershad setoverthem, were beatenand were asked,"Whyhave you not completedyour requiredamounteitheryesterdayortodayin makingbrickas previously?"
But the kingof Egyptsaidto them, "Mosesand Aaron,whydo you drawthe peopleawayfrom their work?Get[back] to your labors!"
Again Pharaohsaid,"Look,the peopleof the landare nowmany,and you would have them ceasefrom their labors!"
"Let the laborbe heavieron the men,and let them workat it so that they will paynoattentionto false words."
"Say,therefore,to the sonsof Israel,I am the LORD,and I will bringyou out from underthe burdensof the Egyptians,and I will deliveryou from their bondage.I will also redeemyou with an outstretchedarmand with greatjudgments.
Then I will takeyou for My people,and I will be your God;and you shall knowthat I am the LORDyour God,who broughtyou out from underthe burdensof the Egyptians.
"Is thisnot the fastwhich I choose,To loosenthe bondsof wickedness,To undothe bandsof the yoke,And to letthe oppressedgofreeAnd breakeveryyoke?
"Cometo Me, allwho are wearyand heavy-laden,and I will give you rest.
"THE SPIRITOF THE LORDIS UPON ME, BECAUSEHE ANOINTEDME TO PREACH THE GOSPELTO THE POOR.HE HAS SENTME TO PROCLAIMRELEASETO THE CAPTIVES,AND RECOVERY OF SIGHTTO THE BLIND,TO SETFREETHOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
