Song of Solomon 1
1 This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.
Solomon's song of songs.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine.
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.
I love the way you smell from the perfumed oils you use. You have quite a reputation—it spreads like spilled perfumed oil. It's not surprising that all the young women adore you!
4 Take me away with you—let us hurry! May the king bring me to his chambers. We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. It is only right that they adore you.
Take me by the hand—let's run! (The king has brought me to his bedroom.) Let's be happy together and find pleasure in your love. Your love is far better than wine! Women are right to adore you so!
5 I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
I'm black, but I'm beautiful, women of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected.
Don't look down on me because I'm black, because the sun has burned me. My brothers were angry with me and made me look after the vineyards, so I couldn't look after my own vineyard.
7 Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?
My love, please tell me where you're taking your flock. Where will you rest them at noon? For why should I have to wear a veil while looking for you among the flocks of your companions?
8 If you do not know, O fairest of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and graze your young goats near the tents of the shepherds.
If you really don't know, you who are more beautiful than any other woman, then follow the tracks of my flock, and let your goats graze near the shepherd's tents.
9 I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.
My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you ornaments of gold, studded with beads of silver.
Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
12 While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.
My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
16 How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how delightful! The soft grass is our bed.
And you, my love, are so handsome—how charming you are! The green grass is our bed,
17 The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are fragrant firs.
with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.
