Exodus 5 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Making Bricks Without Straw

1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” (Ex 10:9) 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Ex 3:19; 2Ki 18:35; Job 21:15) 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” (Ex 3:18; Ex 7:16; Ex 9:1; Ex 9:13)

Ex 3:18Ex 7:16Ex 9:1Ex 9:13

4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” (Ex 1:11) 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many,^[1] and you make them rest from their burdens!” (Ex 1:7; Ex 1:9) 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, (Ex 3:7; Ex 5:14; Ex 5:19) 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.” 10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. (Ex 3:7) 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” (Ex 3:7) 14 And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?” (Ex 5:13) 15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (Ex 6:9) 22 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”

New International Version

from Biblica

Bricks without straw

1 Afterwards 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.” ’ 2 Pharaoh 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.’ 3 Then 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.’ 4 But the king of Egypt said, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labour? Get back to your work!’ 5 Then Pharaoh said, ‘Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.’ 6 That 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. 8 But 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.” 9 Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.’ 10 Then 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. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced 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, demanding, ‘Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?’ 15 Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: ‘Why have you treated your servants this way? 16 Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, “Make bricks!” Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.’ 17 Pharaoh said, ‘Lazy, that’s what you are – lazy! That is why you keep saying, “Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.” 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.’ 19 The Israelite overseers realised they were in trouble when they were told, ‘You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.’ 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and 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.’

God promises deliverance

22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever 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 Reader’s Version

from Biblica

Bricks without straw

1 Later on, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. They said, ‘The LORD is the God of Israel. He says, “Let my people go. Then they will be able to hold a feast to honour me in the desert.” ’ 2 Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD? Why should I obey him? Why should I let Israel go? I don’t even know the LORD. And I won’t let Israel go.’ 3 Then Moses and Aaron said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a journey that lasts about three days. We want to go into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God. If we don’t, he might strike us with plagues. Or he might let us be killed by swords.’ 4 But the king of Egypt said, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get back to work!’ 5 Pharaoh continued, ‘There are large numbers of your people in the land. But you are stopping them from working.’ 6 That same day Pharaoh gave orders to the slave drivers and the overseers in charge of the people. 7 He said, ‘Don’t give the people any more straw to make bricks. Let them go and get their own straw. 8 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t lower the number they have to make. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, “Let us go. We want to offer sacrifices to our God.” 9 Make them work harder. Then they will be too busy to pay attention to lies.’ 10 The slave drivers and the overseers left. They said to the people, ‘Pharaoh says, “I won’t give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw anywhere you can find it. But you still have to make the same number of bricks.” ’ 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt. They went to gather any pieces of straw left in the fields. 13 Pharaoh’s slave drivers kept making the people work hard. They said, ‘Finish the work you are required to do each day. Make the same number of bricks you made when you had straw.’ 14 The slave drivers whipped the Israelite overseers they had appointed. The slave drivers asked, ‘Why haven’t you made the same number of bricks yesterday or today, just as before?’ 15 Then the Israelite overseers appealed to Pharaoh. They asked, ‘Why have you treated us like this? 16 You didn’t give us any straw. But you told us, “Make bricks!” We are being whipped. But it’s the fault of your own people.’ 17 Pharaoh said, ‘You are lazy! That’s why you keep saying, “Let us go. We want to offer sacrifices to the LORD.” 18 Now get to work. We won’t give you any straw. But you still have to make the same number of bricks.’ 19 The Israelite overseers realised they were in trouble. They knew it when they were told, ‘Don’t reduce the number of bricks you are required to make each day.’ 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them. 21 They said to Moses and Aaron, ‘We want the LORD to look at what you have done! We want him to judge you for it! We are like a very bad smell to Pharaoh and his officials. You have given them an excuse to kill us with their swords.’

The Lord promises to save the Israelites

22 Moses returned to talk to the LORD. He said to him, ‘Why, Lord? Why have you brought trouble on these people? Is this why you sent me? 23 I went to Pharaoh to speak to him in your name. Ever since then, he has brought nothing but trouble on these people. And you haven’t saved your people at all.’

King James Version

1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. 3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days'journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. 4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. 5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. 6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. 10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. 11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. 12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. 13 And the taskmasters hasted them , saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. 14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh' taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? 15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? 16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. 17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. 18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. 19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case , after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task. 20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: 21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. 22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

Einheitsübersetzung 2016

from Katholisches Bibelwerk

Erfolglose Verhandlungen mit dem Pharao

1 Danach gingen Mose und Aaron zum Pharao und sagten: So spricht der HERR, der Gott Israels: Lass mein Volk ziehen, damit sie mir in der Wüste ein Fest feiern können! 2 Der Pharao erwiderte: Wer ist der HERR, dass ich auf ihn hören und Israel ziehen lassen sollte? Ich kenne den HERRN nicht und denke auch nicht daran, Israel ziehen zu lassen. 3 Da sagten sie: Der Gott der Hebräer ist uns begegnet und jetzt wollen wir drei Tagesmärsche weit in die Wüste ziehen und dem HERRN, unserem Gott, Schlachtopfer darbringen, damit er uns nicht mit Pest oder Schwert straft. 4 Der König von Ägypten entgegnete ihnen: Warum, Mose und Aaron, wollt ihr die Leute zum Nichtstun verleiten? Fort mit euch, tut euren Frondienst! 5 Der Pharao fuhr fort: So viele Leute sind jetzt im Land und ihr wollt sie vom Frondienst abhalten? 6 Am selben Tag noch gab der Pharao den Antreibern der Leute und den Listenführern die Anweisung: 7 Gebt den Leuten nicht mehr, wie bisher, Stroh zum Ziegelmachen! Sie sollen selber gehen und sich Stroh besorgen. 8 Legt ihnen aber das gleiche Soll an Ziegeln auf, das sie bisher erfüllen mussten! Lasst ihnen davon nichts nach! Denn sie sind faul und deshalb schreien sie: Wir wollen gehen und unserem Gott Schlachtopfer darbringen. 9 Erschwert man den Leuten die Arbeit, dann sind sie beschäftigt und kümmern sich nicht um leeres Geschwätz. 10 Da gingen die Antreiber der Leute und die Listenführer zu den Leuten und sagten: So spricht der Pharao: Ich gebe euch kein Stroh mehr. 11 Geht selbst und besorgt euch Stroh, wo ihr es findet! Von eurem Arbeitssoll aber wird euch nichts erlassen. 12 Die Leute verteilten sich also über ganz Ägypten, um sich Stroh zu besorgen. 13 Die Antreiber drängten und sagten: Ihr müsst euer tägliches Soll erfüllen wie bisher, als euch noch Stroh geliefert wurde. 14 Die Antreiber des Pharao schlugen die israelitischen Listenführer, die sie eingesetzt hatten, und sagten: Warum habt ihr heute nicht wie neulich noch das festgesetzte Soll an Ziegeln erfüllt? 15 Da gingen die israelitischen Listenführer zum Pharao und erhoben vor ihm Klage: Warum tust du deinen Sklaven das an? 16 Man gibt deinen Sklaven kein Stroh, aber man sagt uns: Macht Ziegel! Schau, man hat deine Sklaven geschlagen; die Schuld aber liegt bei deinen Leuten. 17 Er entgegnete: Faul seid ihr, faul. Nur deshalb sagt ihr: Wir wollen gehen und dem HERRN Schlachtopfer darbringen. 18 Jetzt aber fort mit euch und tut eure Arbeit! Stroh bekommt ihr nicht, aber euer Soll an Ziegeln müsst ihr erfüllen. 19 Da sahen sich die israelitischen Listenführer in einer üblen Lage, weil man ihnen sagte: Nichts von eurem täglichen Soll an Ziegeln wird euch erlassen. 20 Als sie vom Pharao kamen, stießen sie auf Mose und Aaron, die ihnen entgegenkamen. 21 Die Listenführer sagten zu ihnen: Der HERR soll euch erscheinen und euch richten; denn ihr habt uns beim Pharao und seinen Dienern in Verruf gebracht und ihnen ein Schwert in die Hand gegeben, mit dem sie uns umbringen können. 22 Da wandte sich Mose an den HERRN und sagte: Mein Herr, wozu behandelst du dieses Volk so schlecht? Wozu hast du mich denn gesandt? 23 Seit ich zum Pharao gegangen bin, um in deinem Namen zu reden, behandelt er dieses Volk noch schlechter, aber du hast dein Volk nicht gerettet.