1 The Shulammite Bride’s Desire The 1:1 Or Best of the Songs Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
2 ¶“ 1:2 BRIDE May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is better than wine.
3 “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,Your name islike 1:3Lit oil which is emptied (from one vessel to another) purified oil;Therefore the 1:3Or virgins maidens love you.
4 “Draw me after youandlet us runtogether!The king has brought me into his chambers.”“ 1:4 CHORUS We will rejoice in you and be glad;We will 1:4 Lit make remembrance of extol your love more than wine.Rightly do they love you.”
5 ¶“ 1:5 BRIDE I am black but lovely,O daughters of Jerusalem,Like the tents of Kedar,Like the curtains of Solomon.
6 “Do not look at me because I am 1:6Or black swarthy,For the sun has burned me.My mother’s sons were angry with me;They made me caretaker of the vineyards,ButI have not taken care of my own vineyard.
7 “Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,Where do you shepherdyour flock,Where do you makeitlie down at noon?For why should I be like one who 1:7Some versions wanders veils herselfBeside the flocks of your companions?”Solomon and His Bride Extol Each Other
8 ¶“ 1:8 BRIDEGROOM If you yourself do not know,Most beautiful among women,Go forth on the trail of the flockAnd pasture your young goatsBy the dwellings of the shepherds.
9 ¶“To a mare of mine among the chariots of PharaohI compare you, O my darling.
10 “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,Your neck with strings of 1:10 Or shells beads.”
11 ¶“ 1:11 CHORUS We will make for you ornaments of goldWith beads of silver.”
12 ¶“ 1:12BRIDE While the king was at his 1:12Or couch banqueting table,My 1:12Lit nard perfume gave forth its fragrance.
13 “My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrhWhich lies all night between my breasts.
14 “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossomsIn the vineyards of Engedi.”
15 ¶“ 1:15 BRIDEGROOM Behold, you are beautiful, my darling,Behold, you are beautiful!Your eyes arelikedoves.”
16 ¶“ 1:16 BRIDE Behold, you are handsome, my beloved,Indeed,sopleasant!Indeed, our couch is luxuriant!
17 “The beams of our houses are cedars,Our rafters, 1:17 Or junipers cypresses.