| New American Standard Bible | ►► |
The Lovers Speak 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.”
The Groom4“Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem: [a]Do not disturb or awaken my love Until she pleases.”
The Chorus5“Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved?” The Bride “Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother went into labor with you, There she was in labor and gave birth to you.
6“Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, [b]Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flames are flames of fire, [c]The flame of the LORD.
7“Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers flood over it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.”
The Chorus8“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.”
The Bride10“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 [d]at my disposal; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
The Groom13“You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice |
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