1The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
Woman
2Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your caresses are more delightful than wine.
3The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating;
your name is perfume poured out.
No wonder young women adore you.
4Take me with you — let’s hurry.
Oh, that the king would bring me to his chambers.
Young Women
We will rejoice and be glad in you;
we will celebrate your caresses more than wine.
Woman
It is only right that they adore you.
5Daughters of Jerusalem,
I am dark like the tents of Kedar,
yet lovely like the curtains of Solomon.
6Do not stare at me because I am dark,
for the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
they made me take care of the vineyards.
I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
7Tell me, you whom I love:
Where do you pasture your sheep?
Where do you let them rest at noon?
Why should I be like one who veils herself
beside the flocks of your companions?
Man
8If you do not know,
most beautiful of women,
follow the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
near the shepherds’ tents.
9I compare you, my darling,
to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.
10Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry,
your neck with its necklace.
11We will make gold jewelry for you,
accented with silver.
Woman
12While the king is on his couch,
my perfume releases its fragrance.
13The one I love is a sachet of myrrh to me,
spending the night between my breasts.
14The one I love is a cluster of henna blossoms to me,
in the vineyards of En-gedi.
Man
15How beautiful you are, my darling.
How very beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
Woman
16How handsome you are, my love.
How delightful!
Our bed is verdant;
17the beams of our house are cedars,
and our rafters are cypresses.