A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush

20 Sargon, the king of Assyria, sent his highest commander to the city of Ashdod. He attacked it and captured it. ² Three years earlier the Lord had spoken to Isaiah, the son of Amoz. The Lord had said, “Take off the rough clothing you are wearing. And take off your sandals.” So Isaiah did. He went around barefoot and naked.

³ After Ashdod was captured, the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has gone around barefoot and naked for three years. He is a sign and reminder to Egypt and Cush about what will happen to them. ⁴ The king of Assyria will lead prisoners away from Egypt and Cush. Young people and old people alike will be taken away. Like Isaiah, they will be barefoot and naked. Their backsides will be bare. So the Egyptians will be put to shame. ⁵ People trusted in Cush to help them. They bragged about what Egypt could do for them. But they will lose heart and be put to shame. ⁶ At that time the people who live on the coast of Philistia will speak up. They will say, ‘See what has happened to those we depended on! We ran to them for help. We wanted them to save us from the king of Assyria. Now how can we escape?’ ”