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Longing for Her Beloved

Verse1O that you were to me like a brother who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.

Verse2I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

Verse3His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

Verse4O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

The Friends

Verse5Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?The Bride I roused you under the apple tree; there your mother conceived you; there she travailed and brought you forth.

Verse6Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all.

Verse7Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.

The Friends

Verse8We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?

Verse9If she is a wall, we will build a tower of silver upon her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

The Bride

Verse10I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. So I have become in his eyes like one who brings peace.

Verse11Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon. He leased it to the tenants. For its fruit, each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver.

Verse12But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

The Bridegroom

Verse13You who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice. Let me hear it!

The Bride

Verse14Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.