8
The woman speaking to the man
1 I wish that you were like my brother,
who nursed at my mother's breasts.
Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house—
she who taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink
and some of the juice of my pomegranates.
The woman speaking to herself
3 His left hand is under my head
and his right hand embraces me.
The woman speaking to the other women
4 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem,
that you will not interrupt our lovemaking
until it is over.
The women of Jerusalem speaking
5 Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness,
leaning on her beloved?
The woman speaking to the man
I awakened you under the apricot tree;
there your mother conceived you;
there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.
6 Set me as a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm,
for love is as strong as death.
Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol;
its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame,
a flame hotter than any other fire.
7 Surging waters cannot quench love,
nor can floods sweep it away.
If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love,
the offer would utterly be despised.
The woman's brothers speaking among themselves
8 We have a little sister,
and her breasts have not yet grown.
What can we do for our sister
on the day when she will be promised in marriage?
9 If she is a wall,
we will build on her a tower of silver.
If she is a door,
we will adorn her with boards of cedar.
The woman speaking to herself
10 I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; *
so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace. †
The woman speaking to herself
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon.
He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it.
Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me;
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit.
The man speaking to the woman
13 You who live in the gardens,
my companions are listening for your voice;
let me hear it.
The woman speaking to the man
14 Hurry, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle or a young stag
on the mountains of spices.
* 8:10 Some versions read I am a wall, and my breasts are like fortress towers . † 8:10 Some versions read so I have found favor in his eyes .