Song of Solomon 8- 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? Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.
- 6
- Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy [1] unyielding as the grave. [2] It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. [3]
- 7
- Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it [4] 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 shekels [5] of silver.
- 12
- But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred [6] 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.
- [6] Or ardor
- [6] Hebrew Sheol
- [6] Or like the very flame of the LORD
- [7] Or he
- [11] That is, about 25 pounds (about 11.5 kilograms); also in verse 12
- [12] That is, about 5 pounds (about 2.3 kilograms)