8
1 Oh
that you were
like my brother,
who nursed from
the breasts of
my mother!
If I found you
outside, I would
kiss you;
yes, and no
one would despise
me.
2 I would
lead you, bringing
you into the house
of my mother,
who would instruct
me.
I would have you
drink spiced wine,
of the juice
of my pomegranate.
3 His
left hand would be
under my head.
His right
hand would embrace
me.
4 I
adjure you,
daughters of
Jerusalem,
that you not
stir up, nor
awaken love,
until it so
desires.
Friends
5 Who
is this who
comes up from
the wilderness,
leaning on her
beloved?
Beloved
Under the apple
tree I awakened
you.
There your mother
conceived you.
There she was
in labor and
bore you.
6 Set
me as a
seal on your
heart,
as a seal
on your arm;
for love is
strong as death.
Jealousy is as
cruel as
Sheol.
Its flashes are
flashes of fire,
a very flame of
the LORD.
7 Many
waters can’t
quench love,
neither can
floods drown it.
If a man would
give all the
wealth of his
house for love,
he would
be utterly scorned.
Brothers
8 We
have a
little sister.
She has no
breasts.
What shall we
do for our sister
in the day
when she is
to be spoken
for?
9 If
she is a
wall,
we will build
on her a turret
of silver.
If she is
a door,
we will enclose
her with boards
of cedar.
Beloved
10 I
am a wall,
and my breasts
like towers,
then I was
in his eyes
like one who
found peace.
11 Solomon
had a vineyard
at Baal Hamon.
He leased out the
vineyard to
keepers.
Each was to
bring a thousand
shekels
of silver for
its fruit.
12 My
own vineyard is
before me.
The thousand are
for you, Solomon,
two hundred
for those who tend its
fruit.
Lover
13 You
who dwell in
the gardens,
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your
voice!
Beloved
14 Come away,
my beloved!
Be like a
gazelle or a
young stag on the
mountains of
spices!