Song of Solomon 8

1 Oh that thou were as my brother, who sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee outside, I would kiss thee. Yes, and none would despise me.

I wish that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother's breasts. Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me.

2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.

I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— she who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink and some of the juice of my pomegranates.

3 His left hand under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me.

4 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake love, until it please.

I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over.

5 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I awoke thee. There thy mother was in travail with thee. There she who brought thee forth was in travail.

Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? The woman speaking to the man I awakened you under the apricot tree; there your mother conceived you; there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.

6 Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm. For love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as Sheol. The flashes of it are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame. (Sheol h7585)

Set me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, a flame hotter than any other fire. (Sheol h7585)

7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

Surging waters cannot quench love, nor can floods sweep it away. If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, the offer would utterly be despised.

8 We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

We have a little sister, and her breasts have not yet grown. What can we do for our sister on the day when she will be promised in marriage?

9 If she is a wall, we will build upon her a turret of silver. And if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.

If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver. If she is a door, we will adorn her with boards of cedar.

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like the towers. Then I was in his eyes as one who found peace.

I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon. He let out the vineyard to keepers. Every one for the fruit of it was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. Thou, O Solomon, shall have the thousand, and those who keep the fruit of it, two hundred.

My vineyard, my very own, is before me; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit.

13 Thou who dwell in the gardens, the companions hearken for thy voice. Cause me to hear it.

You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.

14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.