1In my bed at night
I sought the one I love;
I sought him, but did not find him.
2I will arise now and go about the city,
through the streets and the plazas.
I will seek the one I love.
I sought him, but did not find him.
3The guards who go about the city found me.
I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love?”
4I had just passed them
when I found the one I love.
I held on to him and would not let him go
until I brought him to my mother’s house —
to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
5Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and the wild does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until the appropriate time.
Narrator
6Who is this coming up from the wilderness
like columns of smoke,
scented with myrrh and frankincense
from every fragrant powder of the merchant?
7Look! Solomon’s bed
surrounded by sixty warriors
from the mighty men of Israel.
8All of them are skilled with swords
and trained in warfare.
Each has his sword at his side
to guard against the terror of the night.
9King Solomon made a carriage for himself
with wood from Lebanon.
10He made its posts of silver,
its back of gold,
and its seat of purple.
Its interior is inlaid with love
by the young women of Jerusalem.
11Go out, young women of Zion,
and gaze at King Solomon,
wearing the crown his mother placed on him
on the day of his wedding —
the day of his heart’s rejoicing.