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Exodus 5:17

15 So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way?

16 No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”

“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’

18 Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”

19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
KJV
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
WEB
But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
ASV
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
DARBY
And he said, Ye are idle, idle! therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
BLB
And he said, “You⁺ [are] idle—idle! Upon thus you⁺ are saying, ‘Let us go, let us sacrifice to YHWH.’
ÅB
Men han sa: Dovne er dere, dovne! Derfor sier dere: Vi vil gå og ofre til Herren.
OTB
Men farao sa: «Dere er late, veldig late; det er derfor dere sier: 'La oss gå og ofre til Herren.'
B1930
Men han sa: Dovne er I, dovne! Derfor sier I: Vi vil gå og ofre til Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 5:8

    But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

    Read in context

  • John 6:27

    Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 26:8

    When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?

    Read in context

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11

    For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”

    Read in context