Song of Songs 8

The Lovers Speak

1“Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either.2I would lead you and 1bring 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.3Let 2his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”

4“34I want you to swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, 5Do not arouse or awaken my love Until 6she pleases.”

5“78Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved?” “9Beneath the 1011apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth.6Put me like a 12seal over your heart, Like a 13seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, 1415Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, 16The very flame of the Lord.7Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; 17If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.”

8“18We have a little sister, And she 19has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?9If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; But if she is a door, We will barricade her with 20planks of cedar.”

10“21I was a wall, and 22my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.11Solomon had a 23vineyard at Baal-hamon; He 24entrusted the vineyard to 25caretakers. Each one was to bring a 26thousand shekels of silver for its 27fruit.12My very own vineyard is 28at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”

13“29O you who sit in the gardens, My 30companions are listening for your voice-- 31Let me hear it!”

14“3233Hurry, my beloved, And be 34like a gazelle or a young 35stag On the 36mountains of spices.”