The Young Shulammite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters
1The [a]Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
2“[b]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 is like [c]purified oil;
Therefore the [d]maidens love you.
4“Draw me after you and let us run together!
The king has brought me into his chambers.”
“[e]We will rejoice in you and be glad;
We will [f]extol your love more than wine.
Rightly do they love you.”
5“[g]I am black but lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the curtains of Solomon.
6“Do not stare at me because I am [h]swarthy,
For the sun has burned me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
They made me caretaker of the vineyards,
But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
7“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,
Where do you pasture your flock,
Where do you make it lie down at noon?
For why should I be like one who [i]veils herself
Beside the flocks of your companions?”
Solomon, the Lover, Speaks
8“[j]If you yourself do not know,
Most beautiful among women,
Go forth on the trail of the flock
And pasture your young goats
By the tents of the shepherds.
9“[k]To me, my darling, you are like
My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.
10“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
Your neck with strings of beads.”