So the taskmastersof the peopleand their foremenwentout and spoketo the people,saying,"ThussaysPharaoh,'I am not going to giveyou [any] straw.
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.
You go[and] getstrawfor yourselves whereveryou can find[it], but noneof your laborwill be reduced.'"
So the samedayPharaohcommandedthe taskmastersover the peopleand their foremen,saying,
"Let the laborbe heavieron the men,and let them workat it so that they will paynoattentionto false words."
If a rulerpaysattentionto falsehood,Allhis ministers[become] wicked.
The oracleconcerning the beastsof the Negev.Through a landof distressand anguish,From where[come] lionessand lion,viperand flyingserpent,They carrytheir richeson the backsof youngdonkeysAnd their treasureson camels'humps,To a peoplewho cannotprofit[them];