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.

The Groom

3Let 2his left hand be under my head, And his right hand embrace me.”

The Chorus

4“3Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem: 4Do not disturb or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

5“5Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved?” The Bride “Beneath the 6apple tree I awakened you; There your mother went into labor with you, There she was in labor and gave birth to you.6Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a 7seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, 89Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flames are flames of fire, 10The flame of the Lord.

The Chorus

7Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers flood over it; 11If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.”

8“We have a little sister, And she 12has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?

The Bride

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 13planks of cedar.”

10“I was a wall, and 14my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.11Solomon had a 15vineyard at Baal-hamon; He 16entrusted the vineyard to 17caretakers. Each one was to bring a 18thousand shekels of silver for its 19fruit.

The Groom

12My very own vineyard is 20at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”

The Bride

13“You who sit in the gardens: My 21companions are listening for your voice-- 22Let me hear it!”

14“23Hurry, my beloved, And be 24like a gazelle or a young 25stag On the 26mountains of balsam trees!”