^1. «OH that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mother's breasts. If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either.

^2. «I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.

^3. «Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.»

^4. « [3] I want you to swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, [2] Do not arouse or awaken my love Until [1] she pleases.»

^5. « [6] Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved?» « [5] Beneath the [4] apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth.

^6. «Put me like a [9] seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, [8] Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, [7] The very flame of the LORD.

^7. «Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.»

^8. « [10] We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?

^9. «If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; But if she is a door, We will barricade her with planks of cedar.»

^10. « [11] I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.

^11. «Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

^12. «My very own vineyard is [12] at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.»

^13. « [13] O you who sit in the gardens, My companions are listening for your voice -- Let me hear it!»

^14. « [16] [15] Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young [14] stag On the mountains of spices.»