[1] Oh that you were like my brother, Who sucked the breasts of my
mother! If I found you outside, I would kiss you; Yes, and no one would
despise me. [2] I would lead you, bringing you into my mother`s house,
Who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, Of the juice
of my pomegranate. [3] His left hand would be under my head. His right
hand would embrace me. [4] I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, That
you not stir up, nor awaken love, Until it so desires. Friends [5] Who
is this who comes up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved? Under
the apple tree I aroused you. There your mother conceived you. There
she was in labor and bore you. [6] Set me as a seal on your heart, As a
seal on your arm; For love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel
as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, A very flame of Yahweh.
[7] Many waters can`t quench love, Neither can floods drown it. If a man
would give all the wealth of his house for love, He would be utterly
scorned. Friends [8] We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What
shall we do for our sister In the day when she is to be spoken for? [9]
If she is a wall, We will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a
door, We will enclose her with boards of cedar. Beloved [10] I am a
wall, and my breasts like towers, Then I was in his eyes like one who
found peace. [11] Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon. He leased out
the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver
for its fruit. [12] My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for
you, Solomon; Two hundred for those who tend its fruit. Lover [13] You
who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, Let me hear your
voice! Beloved [14] Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young
stag on the mountains of spices!
