Song of Solomon 1
1 Solomon's song of songs.
The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
2 Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
Oh that he might kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy caresses are more pleasant than wine.
3 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!
To the smell are thy fragrant oils pleasant, [like] precious oil poured forth is thy name [famous afar]: therefore do maidens love thee.
4 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!
Oh draw me, after thee will we run: the king hath brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in thee; we will recall thy caresses, more [pleasant] than wine; without deceit [all] love thee.—
5 I'm black, but I'm beautiful, women of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
Black am I, yet comely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6 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.
Look not so at me, because I am somewhat black, because the sun hath looked fiercely at me: my mother's children were angry with me; they appointed me to be keeper of the vineyards; but my vineyard, which is my own, have I not kept.—
7 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?
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest? where lettest thou thy flock rest at noon? for why should I appear like a veiled mourner by the flocks of thy companions?—
8 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.
If thou knowest this not, O thou fairest of women, go but forth in the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids around the shepherds' dwellings.—
9 My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
Unto the horse in Pharaoh's chariot do I compare thee, my beloved.
10 Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
Comely are thy cheeks between strings [of pearls], thy neck with rows [of jewels].
11 Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
Chains of gold will we make for thee with studs of silver.—
12 As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its [pleasant] smell.
13 My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
A bundle of myrrh is my friend unto me, that resteth on my bosom.
14 My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
A copher-cluster is my friend unto me in the vineyards of 'En-gedi.—
15 Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
Lo, thou art beautiful, my beloved: lo, thou art beautiful: thy eyes are those of a dove.—
16 And you, my love, are so handsome—how charming you are! The green grass is our bed,
Lo, thou art beautiful, my friend, also pleasant: also our couch is [made in the] green [wood].
17 with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.
The beams of our houses are cedars and our wainscoting of cypress-trees.
