Song of Songs 8:1-8

1I would like it if you were my brother who drank milk from my mother's breasts! If you were my brother, if I found you outside, I could kiss you. Nobody would think that I was doing something wrong.

2I would lead you to my mother's house. She is the one who has taught me. I would give you wine with spices to drink, the juice from my pomegranates.

3His left hand is under my head. His right hand brings me near to him.

4Promise this to me, young women of Jerusalem: Do not cause our love to wake up. Do not cause it to become too strong until the time is right.

5Who is this who is coming from the desert? Her head is on her lover's shoulder. Under the apple tree, I caused your love to wake. That is the place where your mother became pregnant. In that place too, your mother gave birth to you in pain.

6Keep me near to you, like a seal over your heart. Keep me like a seal on your arm. Keep me there always, because love is as powerful as death. It keeps hold of people as strongly as the grave does. Love burns like a hot fire. It burns with bright flames.

7Even a flood of water cannot stop the flames. Rivers of water cannot carry it away. A man might try to give all his riches to buy a woman's love. But she would refuse to accept what he offers to her.

8We have a younger sister. Her breasts have not yet grown. What will we do to help her when it is the time for her to marry?