| 1:2 |
May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. |
¶May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. |
| 1:5 |
I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon. |
¶I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon. |
| 1:6 |
Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mothers sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. |
Do not look at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mothers sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. |
| 1:7 |
Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions? |
Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you shepherd your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions? |
| 1:8 |
If you yourself do not know, Most beautiful among women, Go forth on the trail of the flock And pasture your young goats By the tents of the shepherds. |
¶If you yourself do not know, Most beautiful among women, Go forth on the trail of the flock And pasture your young goats By the dwellings of the shepherds. |
| 1:9 |
To me, my darling, you are like My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh. |
¶To a mare of mine among the chariots of Pharaoh I compare you, O my darling. |
| 1:11 |
We will make for you ornaments of gold With beads of silver. |
¶We will make for you ornaments of gold With beads of silver. |
| 1:12 |
While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance. |
¶While the king was at his banqueting table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance. |
| 1:15 |
How beautiful you are, my darling, How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves. |
¶Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves. |
| 1:16 |
How handsome you are, my beloved, And so pleasant! Indeed, our couch is luxuriant! |
¶Behold, you are handsome, my beloved, Indeed, so pleasant! Indeed, our couch is luxuriant! |
| 2:2 |
Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the maidens. |
¶Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the daughters. |
| 2:3 |
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. |
¶Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the sons. In his shade I had great desire and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. |
| 2:4 |
He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. |
He has brought me to his house of banqueting, And his banner over me is love. |
| 2:7 |
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases. |
¶I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases. |
| 2:8 |
Listen! My beloved! Behold, he is coming, Climbing on the mountains, Leaping on the hills! |
¶The voice of my beloved! Behold, he is coming, Leaping on the mountains, Jumping on the hills! |
| 2:9 |
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he is standing behind our wall, He is looking through the windows, He is peering through the lattice. |
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he is standing behind our wall; He gazes through the windows; He is peering through the lattice. |
| 2:10 |
My beloved responded and said to me, Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along. |
¶My beloved answered and said to me, Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along. |
| 2:11 |
For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. |
For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over; it is gone. |
| 2:12 |
The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. |
The flowers have appeared in the land; The time for pruning has arrived; And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. |
| 2:14 |
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your form, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your form is lovely. |
¶O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your appearance, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your appearance is lovely. |
| 2:15 |
Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom. |
¶Seize the foxes for us, The little foxes that are wreaking destruction on the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom. |
| 2:16 |
My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies. |
¶My beloved is mine, and I am his, He who shepherds his flock among the lilies. |
| 2:17 |
Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. |
Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. |
| 3:3 |
The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, And I said, Have you seen him whom my soul loves? |
The watchmen who go about the city found me, And I said, Have you seen him whom my soul loves? |
| 3:4 |
Scarcely had I left them When I found him whom my soul loves; I held on to him and would not let him go Until I had brought him to my mothers house, And into the room of her who conceived me. |
Scarcely had I passed them by When I found him whom my soul loves; I seized him and would not let him go Until I had brought him to my mothers house, And into the chamber of her who conceived me. |
| 3:5 |
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you will not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases. |
¶I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases. |
| 3:6 |
What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant? |
¶Who is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, As rising incense of myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant? |
| 3:8 |
All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night. |
All of them are those who seize the sword, Learned in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the dreadful things of the night. |
| 3:10 |
He made its posts of silver, Its back of gold And its seat of purple fabric, With its interior lovingly fitted out By the daughters of Jerusalem. |
He made its posts of silver, Its back of gold And its seat of purple fabric, With its interior inlaid with love By the daughters of Jerusalem. |
| 3:11 |
Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And gaze on King Solomon with the crown With which his mother has crowned him On the day of his wedding, And on the day of his gladness of heart. |
Go forth and see, O daughters of Zion, King Solomon with the crown With which his mother has crowned him On the day of his wedding, And on the day of his gladness of heart. |
| 4:1 |
How beautiful you are, my darling, How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have descended from Mount Gilead. |
Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Mount Gilead. |
| 4:4 |
Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung a thousand shields, All the round shields of the mighty men. |
Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung one thousand shields, All the small shields of the mighty men. |
| 4:6 |
Until the cool of the day When the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. |
Until the day breathes And the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. |
| 4:7 |
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you. |
¶You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you. |
| 4:8 |
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, May you come with me from Lebanon. Journey down from the summit of Amana, From the summit of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. |
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, May you come with me from Lebanon. Journey down from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. |
| 4:11 |
Your lips, my bride, drip honey; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. |
Your lips, my bride, drip honey from the comb; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. |
| 4:16 |
Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits! |
¶Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices flow forth. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits! |
| 5:1 |
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat, friends; Drink and imbibe deeply, O lovers. |
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have picked my myrrh along with my balsam. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends; Drink and imbibe deeply, O lovers. |
| 5:2 |
I was asleep but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my perfect one! For my head is drenched with dew, My locks with the damp of the night. |
¶I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my perfect one! For my head is full of dew, My locks with the damp of the night. |
| 5:3 |
I have taken off my dress, How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them again? |
I have taken off my long sleeved garment, How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them again? |
| 5:4 |
My beloved extended his hand through the opening, And my feelings were aroused for him. |
My beloved sent forth his hand through the opening, And my feelings moaned for him. |
| 5:5 |
I arose to open to my beloved; And my hands dripped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the bolt. |
I arose to open to my beloved; And my hands dripped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock. |
| 5:6 |
I opened to my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and had gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him but I did not find him; I called him but he did not answer me. |
I opened to my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and passed by! My soul went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him, but I did not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me. |
| 5:7 |
The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, They struck me and wounded me; The guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me. |
The watchmen who go about in the city found me, They struck me and wounded me; The guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me. |
| 5:8 |
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, As to what you will tell him: For I am lovesick. |
I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, What will you tell him? Tell him that I am sick with love. |
| 5:9 |
What kind of beloved is your beloved, O most beautiful among women? What kind of beloved is your beloved, That thus you adjure us? |
¶What is your beloved that he is more than any other beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved that he is more than any other beloved, That thus you call us to solemnly swear? |
| 5:10 |
My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, Outstanding among ten thousand. |
¶My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, Lifted up as a banner among ten thousand. |
| 5:11 |
His head is like gold, pure gold; His locks are like clusters of dates And black as a raven. |
His head is like gold, fine gold; His locks are like clusters of dates And black as a raven. |
| 5:12 |
His eyes are like doves Beside streams of water, Bathed in milk, And reposed in their setting. |
His eyes are like doves Beside streams of water, Washed in milk, And sitting in their setting. |
| 5:13 |
His cheeks are like a bed of balsam, Banks of sweet scented herbs; His lips are lilies Dripping with liquid myrrh. |
His cheeks are like a bed of spices, Towers of sweet scented herbs; His lips are lilies Dripping with liquid myrrh. |
| 5:14 |
His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl; His abdomen is carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires. |
His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl; His abdomen is a plate of ivory Inlaid with sapphires. |
| 5:15 |
His legs are pillars of alabaster Set on pedestals of pure gold; His appearance is like Lebanon Choice as the cedars. |
His legs are pillars of marble Set on bases of fine gold; His appearance is like Lebanon Choice as the cedars. |
| 6:2 |
My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of balsam, To pasture his flock in the gardens And gather lilies. |
¶My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To shepherd his flock in the gardens And gather lilies. |
| 6:3 |
I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies. |
I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine, He who shepherds his flock among the lilies. |
| 6:4 |
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, As lovely as Jerusalem, As awesome as an army with banners. |
¶You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, As lovely as Jerusalem, As majestic as an army with banners. |
| 6:5 |
Turn your eyes away from me, For they have confused me; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have descended from Gilead. |
Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overwhelmed me; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Gilead. |
| 6:9 |
But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: She is her mothers only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying, |
She is the only one—my dove, my perfect one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the pure one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying, |
| 6:10 |
Who is this that grows like the dawn, As beautiful as the full moon, As pure as the sun, As awesome as an army with banners? |
Who is this that looks down like the dawn, As beautiful as the full moon, As pure as the sun, As majestic as an army with banners? |
| 6:11 |
I went down to the orchard of nut trees To see the blossoms of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded Or the pomegranates had bloomed. |
¶I went down to the garden of nut trees To see the blossoms of the valley, To see whether the vine had flourished Or the pomegranates had bloomed. |
| 6:12 |
Before I was aware, my soul set me Over the chariots of my noble people. |
I did not know it, but my soul set me Among the chariots of my noble people. |
| 6:13 |
Come back, come back, O Shulammite; Come back, come back, that we may gaze at you! Why should you gaze at the Shulammite, As at the dance of the two companies? |
¶Come back, come back, O Shulammite; Come back, come back, that we may behold you! Why should you behold the Shulammite, As at the dance of the two companies? |
| 7:1 |
How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O princes daughter! The curves of your hips are like jewels, The work of the hands of an artist. |
How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O nobles daughter! The curves of your thighs are like ornaments, The work of the hands of an artist. |
| 7:2 |
Your navel is like a round goblet Which never lacks mixed wine; Your belly is like a heap of wheat Fenced about with lilies. |
Your navel is like a round basin Which never lacks mixed wine; Your belly is like a heap of wheat Encircled with lilies. |
| 7:6 |
How beautiful and how delightful you are, My love, with all your charms! |
How beautiful and how pleasant you are, My love, with all your pleasures! |
| 7:8 |
I said, I will climb the palm tree, I will take hold of its fruit stalks. Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, And the fragrance of your breath like apples, |
I said, I will climb the palm tree; I will seize its fruit stalks. Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, And the fragrance of your breath like apples, |
| 7:10 |
I am my beloveds, And his desire is for me. |
¶I am my beloveds, And his desire is for me. |
| 7:11 |
Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country, Let us spend the night in the villages. |
Come, my beloved, let us go out into the fields, Let us spend the night in the villages. |
| 7:12 |
Let us rise early and go to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine has budded And its blossoms have opened, And whether the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love. |
Let us rise early and go to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine has flourished And its blossoms have opened, And whether the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love. |
| 7:13 |
The mandrakes have given forth fragrance; And over our doors are all choice fruits, Both new and old, Which I have saved up for you, my beloved. |
The mandrakes have given forth fragrance; And over our doors are all choice fruits, Both new and old, Which I have treasured up for you, my beloved. |
| 8:1 |
Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mothers breasts. If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either. |
Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mothers breasts. If I found you outside, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either. |
| 8:2 |
I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates. |
I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to teach me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the sweet wine of my pomegranates. |
| 8:4 |
I want you to swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases. |
¶I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, Why should you arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases? |
| 8:5 |
Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved? Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth. |
¶Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved? Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you; There she was in labor and gave you birth. |
| 8:6 |
Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord. |
Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of Yah. |
| 8:8 |
We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for? |
¶We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for? |
| 8:10 |
I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. |
¶I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. |
| 8:11 |
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal hamon; He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. |
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. |
| 8:12 |
My very own vineyard is at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. |
My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. |
| 8:13 |
O you who sit in the gardens, My companions are listening for your voice— Let me hear it! |
¶O you who sit in the gardens, My companions are giving heed to your voice— Let me hear it! |
| 8:14 |
Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of spices. |
¶Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of spices. |