1
The young woman speaking to her lover-I wish that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother’s breasts. Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me.
2
I would lead you and bring you into my mother’s house, and you would teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink and some of the juice of my pomegranates. The young woman speaking to herself-
3
His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me. The woman speaking to the other women-
4
I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem’s men, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over. The women of Jerusalem speaking-
5
Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? The young woman speaking to her lover-I awakened you under the apricot tree; there your mother conceived you; there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.
If only we could be undisturbed!
6
Set me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, a flame hotter than any other fire.
7
Surging waters cannot quench love, nor can floods sweep it away. If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, the offer would utterly be despised. The young woman’s brothers speaking among themselves-
Easy to conquer?
8
We have a little sister, and her breasts have not yet grown. What can we do for our sister on the day when she will be promised in marriage?
9
If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver. If she is a door, we will adorn her with boards of cedar. The young woman speaking to herself-
10
I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; so I am completely mature in his eyes.
Richer than Solomon
11
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased the vineyard to those who would maintain it. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
12
My vineyard is my very own; the thousand shekels belong to you, my dear Solomon, and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain it for its fruit. The woman’s lover speaking to her-
Call only me
13
You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me be the one to hear it as well. The young woman speaking to her lover-
14
Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
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