U-Isaya 20

1 Ngomnyaka indunankulu yebutho eyafika ngawo e-Ashidodi, ithunywe nguSagoni inkosi yase-Asiriya, yahlasela i-Ashidodi yayithumba,

In the year when Tanathan came to Azotus, when he was sent by Arna king of the Assyrians, and warred against Azotus, and took it;

2 ngalesosikhathi uThixo wakhuluma ngo-Isaya indodana ka-Amozi wathi kuye, “Susa isaka oligqokileyo emzimbeni wakho ukhuphe lamanyathela ezinyaweni zakho.” Wenza njalo, wahamba nqunu njalo engagqokanga lutho ezinyaweni.

then the Lord spoke to Esaias the son of Amos, saying, Go and take the sackcloth off thy loins, and loose thy sandals from off thy feet, and do thus, going naked and barefoot.

3 UThixo wasesithi, “Njengoba inceku yami u-Isaya ihambe nqunu njalo ingagqokanga lutho ezinyaweni okweminyaka emithathu njengesibonakaliso lomhlolo kwabaseGibhithe labaseKhushi,

And the Lord said, As my servant Esaias has walked naked and barefoot three years, there shall be three years for signs and wonders to the Egyptians and Ethiopians;

4 ngokunjalo inkosi yase-Asiriya izabaqhuba benqunu njalo bengafakanga manyathela ezinyaweni abaseGibhithe abathunjiweyo labaseKhushi abaxotshwayo elizweni lakibo, abatsha labadala, izibunu zisegcekeni, kube lihlazo eGibhithe.

for thus shall the king of the Assyrians lead the captivity of Egypt and the Ethiopians, young men and old, naked and barefoot, having the shame of Egypt exposed.

5 Labo ababethembe iKhushi bezincoma ngeGibhithe, bazakwesaba bayangiswe.

And the Egyptians being defeated shall be ashamed of the Ethiopians, in whom they had trusted; for they were their glory.

6 Ngalolosuku abantu abahlala kulelicele eliseduze kolwandle bazakuthi, ‘Khangelani osokwenzakale kulabo ebesigwaba ngabo, labo esabalekela kubo ukuba sithole usizo lokukhululwa enkosini yase-Asiriya! Pho sizaphepha kanjani na?’”

And they that dwell in this island shall say in that day, Behold, we trusted to flee to them for help, who could not save themselves from the king of the Assyrians: and how shall we be saved?