Isaiah 20 - The Voice (VOICE)

20 In the same year that the Assyrian field marshal sent by Sargon II, who was king in Assyria at that time, attacked and successfully defeated Ashdod, 2 Isaiah (Amoz’s son) was told by the Eternal to deliver a message by acting it out.

It is said “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Too true: in order to communicate a spiritual message, sometimes God uses a physical action—something everyone can see or hear—much like a picture. In this instance the actions of Isaiah become the picture God wants His people to see. The prophet himself becomes the focus of attention as he demonstrates in shocking ways what God is intending to do to Israel’s southern neighbors, Egypt and Ethiopia. God is able to speak with clarity because all attention is focused on this prophetic drama that is being played out before them.

Eternal One: Take off all your clothes of mourning, and take off your shoes too.

Of course, Isaiah did that, which left him utterly naked, head to toe.

Eternal One: 3 My servant Isaiah has walked around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign that Egypt and Ethiopia will be stripped of everything. 4 Assyria will take away Egypt’s captives and Ethiopia’s exiles, young and old alike, naked and barefoot as slaves. The Egyptians’ shameful impotence and their bare behinds will be on display for all to see as they are driven away by the Assyrians. 5 They will be mortified and humiliated, for they depended on each other, confident that Egypt and Ethiopia could withstand Assyrian assault. 6 In the face of it, people along the coastland, like Ashdod, will say, “If countries like those that we counted on for support and security are falling to the might of Assyria’s king, we don’t have a chance!”

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Isaiah 20 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

20 In the year of the coming in of Tartan to Ashdod, when Sargon king of Asshur sendeth him, and he fighteth against Ashdod, and captureth it, 2 at that time spake Jehovah by the hand of Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, `Go, and thou hast loosed the sackcloth from off thy loins, and thy sandal thou dost ...
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Isaiah 20 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

20 In the year wherein Tartan entered into Ashdod, when Sargon, the king of Assyrians (the king of Assyria), had sent him, and he had fought against Ashdod, and had taken it; 2 in that time the Lord spake in the hand of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, and said (at that time the Lord spoke to Isaiah, the so...
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Isaiah 20 - World English Bible (WEB)

20 In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; 2 at that time Yahweh spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your sandals from off your feet.” He did so, walk...
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Isaiah 20 - The Voice (VOICE)

20 In the same year that the Assyrian field marshal sent by Sargon II, who was king in Assyria at that time, attacked and successfully defeated Ashdod, 2 Isaiah (Amoz’s son) was told by the Eternal to deliver a message by acting it out.It is said “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Too true: in ...
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Isaiah 20 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Sign of Nakedness20 In the year that the Tartan[a] came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him and he fought against Ashdod and captured it, 2 at that time Adonai spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your loins and your sandals from your feet.” So he d...
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Isaiah 20 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it,— 2 at that time the Lord had spoken by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your...
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Isaiah 20 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it,— 2 at that time the Lord had spoken by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your...
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Isaiah 20 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year that the commander-in-chief, who was sent by King Sargon of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it— 2 at that time the Lord had spoken to Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your loins an...
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Isaiah 20 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year that the commander-in-chief, who was sent by King Sargon of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it— 2 at that time the Lord had spoken to Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, ‘Go, and loose the sackcloth from your loins an...
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Isaiah 20 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Cush20 In the year that the commander-in-chief, who was sent by King Sargon of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and took it(A)—2 at that time the Lord had spoken to Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go and loose the sackcloth from your loins and ta...
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Isaiah 20 - New Living Translation (NLT)

A Message about Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod,[a] 2 the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around ...
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Isaiah 20 - New Life Version (NLV)

Word about Egypt and Cush20 In the year that Sargon the king of Assyria sent his head captain to fight against Ashdod, he took it in battle. 2 At that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go and take off the clothes made from hair, and take your shoes off your feet.” And he ...
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Isaiah 20 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Sign Against Egypt and Ethiopia20 In the year that (A)Tartan[a] came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it, 2 at the same time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove (B)the sackcloth from your [b]body, and take y...
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Isaiah 20 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

A prophecy against Egypt and Cush20 In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it – 2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, ‘Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.’...
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Isaiah 20 - New International Version (NIV)

A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush20 In the year that the supreme commander,(A) sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod(B) and attacked and captured it— 2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz.(C) He said to him, “Take off the sackcloth(D) from your body and the sandals(E) fro...
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Isaiah 20 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

A Prophecy Against Egypt and Cush20 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...
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Isaiah 20 - New English Translation (NET)

20 The Lord revealed the following message during the year in which King Sargon of Assyria sent his commanding general to Ashdod, and he fought against it and captured it.[a] 2 At that time the Lord announced through[b] Isaiah son of Amoz: “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and take your san...
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