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Exodus 5:8
ESV 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.’
NIV 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.’
NASB But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, for that reason they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
CSB But require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers—that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
NLT But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’
KJV 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.
NKJV And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

What does Exodus 5:8 mean?

Egypt's ruler, Pharaoh, has flatly refused Moses' request to let the Israelite slaves leave to worship God (Exodus 5:1–4). Apparently, Pharaoh believes that the Hebrews need to be taught a lesson. The Israelites have been slaves in Egypt, making bricks (Exodus 1:13–14). This is difficult work to begin with, especially as forced labor. Now, Pharaoh has cruelly stopped providing the slaves with a crucial component of bricks. Instead of providing straw, he orders the slaves to find their own (Exodus 5:6–7)—but they cannot reduce their production.

It's unlikely that Pharaoh thinks the people are literally "lazy." His point is that if the people have time to listen to Moses, and time to make requests, they aren't spending enough time making bricks. Making life harder for them is a way of exerting control. It also shifts anger towards Moses for meddling in their situation (Exodus 5:9).
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