¹¹ So they put slave masters^(A) over them to oppress them with forced labor,^(B) and they built Pithom and Rameses^(C) as store cities^(D) for Pharaoh.

⁷ The Lord said, “I have indeed seen^(A) the misery^(B) of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned^(C) about their suffering.^(D)

⁶ That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers^(A) and overseers in charge of the people:

¹⁰ Then the slave drivers^(A) and the overseers went out and said to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you any more straw. ¹¹ Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced^(B) at all.’” ¹² So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. ¹³ The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, “Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw.” ¹⁴ And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed,^(C) demanding, “Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?”

¹⁸ Now get to work.^(A) You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.”

⁵ Moreover, I have heard the groaning^(A) of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.^(B)