Isaiah 20

A Living Sign Against Egypt and Cush

1 In the year King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander to fight against Ashdod and capture it,

2 The Lord spoke through Isaiah, son of Amoz, saying, “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” So Isaiah did it, walking around barefoot and half-naked.

3 Then the Lord said, “Just like My servant Isaiah has walked around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and warning against Egypt and Cush,

4 That is how the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with their backsides exposed, bringing shame on Egypt.”

5 Then the people who trusted in Cush and bragged about Egypt’s power will be terrified and ashamed.

6 And those living on the coast will say, ‘Look at what happened to the ones we trusted, the ones we thought would save us from the king of Assyria. How can we escape now,’”