1 If only you were to me like a brother,
who was nursed at my mother's breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me. |
2 I would lead you
and bring you to my mother's house-
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates. |
3 His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me. |
4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires. |
5 Who is this coming up from the desert
leaning on her lover? |
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy1 8:6 Or ardor unyielding as the grave.2 8:6 Hebrew Sheol
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.3 8:6 Or / like the very flame of the LORD |
7 Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it4 8:7 Or he would be utterly scorned. |
8 We have a young sister,
and her breasts are not yet grown.
What shall we do for our sister
for the day she is spoken for? |
9 If she is a wall,
we will build towers of silver on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with panels of cedar. |
10 I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment. |
11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels5 8:11 That is, about 25 pounds (about 11.5 kilograms); also in verse 12 of silver. |
12 But my own vineyard is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon,
and two hundred6 8:12 That is, about 5 pounds (about 2.3 kilograms) are for those who tend its fruit. |
13 You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice! |
14 Come away, my lover,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the spice-laden mountains. |
