^1. If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother's breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.

^2. I would lead you and bring you to my mother's house-- she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

^3. His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.

^4. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

^5. Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.

^6. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy [3] unyielding as the grave. [2] It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. [1]

^7. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it [4] would be utterly scorned.

^8. We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for?

^9. If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

^10. I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.

^11. Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels [5] of silver.

^12. But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred [6] are for those who tend its fruit.

^13. You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

^14. Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.