Song of Solomon 3
1 One night when I was lying in bed, I longed for the one I love. I longed for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
On my couch by night, I sought him whom my soul hath loved; I sought him, and I found him not!
2 So I said to myself, “I will get up now and go through the city, looking in its streets and squares for the one I love.” I looked for him but I didn't find him.
— Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! — I sought him, and I found him not.
3 The watchmen found me as they went through the city. “Have you seen the one I love?” I asked them.
The watchmen have found me, (Who are going round about the city), 'Him whom my soul have loved saw ye?'
4 Only a little farther on after I'd passed them I found my love! I held him close and would not let him go until I'd brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother — And the chamber of her that conceived me.
5 Women of Jerusalem, swear to me by the gazelles or the wild deer that you won't disturb our love until the right time.
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!
6 Who is this coming in from the wilderness like a plume of smoke, like a burning sacrifice scented with myrrh and frankincense, with all kinds of imported perfumed powders?
Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed [with] myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?
7 Look, it's Solomon's sedan chair, accompanied by sixty of Israel's best warriors.
Lo, his couch, that [is] Solomon's, Sixty mighty ones [are] around it, Of the mighty of Israel,
8 All of them are expert swordsmen who have battle experience. They each carry a sword strapped to the thigh, ready for any night-time attacks.
All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.
9 (Solomon's sedan chair was made for him with wood from Lebanon.
A palanquin king Solomon made for himself, Of the wood of Lebanon,
10 Its posts were covered in silver, and the back was covered in gold. The seat cushion was purple. The interior was lovingly decorated.) Women of Jerusalem,
Its pillars he made of silver, Its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, Its midst lined [with] love, By the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 come out! Look, women of Zion! See King Solomon wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head on his wedding day, his happiest day.
Go forth, and look, ye daughters of Zion, On king Solomon, with the crown, With which his mother crowned him, In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the joy of his heart!
