Exodus 1:12-14

Expanded Bible

¹² But the harder ·the Egyptians forced the Israelites to work [^Lthey afflicted/oppressed them], the more ·the Israelites grew in number [they multiplied] and spread out. So ·the Egyptians became very afraid of them [^Lthey dreaded the sons/^Tchildren of Israel] ¹³ and ·demanded even more of them [^Lthe Egyptians ruthlessly forced the sons/^Tchildren of Israel to labor]. ¹⁴ They made their lives ·bitter [miserable]. They forced the Israelites to work hard to make bricks and mortar and to do all kinds of work in the fields. ·The Egyptians were not merciful to them in all their painful work [^LThey ruthlessly forced them to work].