Exodus 5

1 After that, 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 feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

1 之后，摩西和亚伦去见法老，对他说：“以色列的上帝耶和华说，‘放我的子民走，让他们到旷野去为我守节期。’”

2 But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

2 法老说：“耶和华是谁？我凭什么要听从祂，放走以色列人？我不认识祂，也不会让以色列人离开！”

3 “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

3 摩西和亚伦说：“希伯来人的上帝向我们显现了。求你容我们走三天的路程，到旷野去向我们的上帝耶和华献祭，免得祂用瘟疫或刀剑来攻击我们。”

4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labor!”

4 埃及王说：“摩西、亚伦，你们为什么让百姓停工！快回去服劳役！”

5 Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you would be stopping them from their labor.”

5 法老又说：“这地方的以色列人如此多，你竟叫他们停工！”

6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen:

6 当天，法老就对埃及监工和以色列人的工头下令：

7 “You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw.

7 “不许再供应草给他们制砖，叫他们自己去捡，

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.’

8 但上交的砖的数量要和往常一样，一块也不可少。因为他们懒惰，所以才嚷着要去给他们的上帝献祭。

9 Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”

9 你们要加重他们的工作，他们就无暇再听那些蛊惑人心的话了！”

10 So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.

10 于是，那些监工和工头就出来向百姓宣布：“法老下令不再供应草给你们制砖。

11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it; but your workload will in no way be reduced.’”

11 你们要自己设法去找，但上交的砖一块也不能少。”

12 So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

12 百姓只好在埃及各地收集禾秸当草用。

13 The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.”

13 监工催逼他们说：“你们要完成每天规定的数目，像从前有草时一样。”

14 Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?”

14 法老的监工又鞭打他们委派的以色列工头，说：“你们这两天为什么没有像从前一样完成规定的砖数？”

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

15 以色列人的工头来见法老，向他哀求说：“你为什么要这样对待仆人们？

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.”

16 监工不给仆人们草，却命令我们制作砖，还打我们，其实是你百姓的错。”

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

17 法老说：“你们是懒汉，懒汉！所以才嚷着要去给耶和华献祭。

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

18 回去继续做工！我不再供应草给你们，但砖要如数交齐。”

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

19 以色列人的工头听见每天做的砖数不可减少，就知道情况不妙。

20 When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who stood waiting to meet them.

20 他们从法老那里出来的时候，遇见摩西和亚伦站在外面等候，

21 “May the LORD look upon you and judge you,” the foremen said, “for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!”

21 便埋怨二人说：“愿耶和华鉴察、惩罚你们！你们使我们在法老和他的臣仆面前有了臭名，无异于把刀递到他们手中来杀我们。”

22 So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?

22 摩西回到耶和华那里说：“主啊！你为什么这样苦待你的子民呢？为什么要派我去呢？

23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”

23 自从我去法老那里奉你的名说话后，他更加虐待你的子民，你却根本没有拯救他们。”