A Message About Egypt and Cush

20 Sargon sent his highest commander to the city of Ashdod. He attacked it and captured it. Sargon was king of Assyria. 2Three years earlier the Lord had spoken to me. He had said, “Take off the black clothes you are wearing. And take your sandals off.” So I did. I went around barefoot. I didn’t have anything on but my underwear.

3After Ashdod was captured, the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has gone around barefoot for three years. He has not worn anything but his underwear. 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. They will not be wearing anything but their underwear. And 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 be afraid and put to shame. 6At 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?’ ”