Song of Solomon 3

1 In my bed by night I sought him that my soule loued: I sought him, but I found him not.

At night on my bed I was longing for him whom my soul loves; I looked for him, but I could not find him.

2 I will rise therefore nowe, and goe about in the citie, by the streetes and by the open places, and wil seeke him that my soule loueth: I sought him, but I found him not.

I said to myself, “I will get up and go through the city, through the streets and squares; I will search for him whom my soul loves.” I searched for him, but I did not find him.

3 The watchmen that went about the citie, found mee: to whome I said, Haue you seene him, whome my soule loueth?

The watchmen found me as they were making their rounds in the city. I asked them, “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”

4 When I had past a litle from them, then I found him whom my soule loued: I tooke holde on him and left him not, till I had brought him vnto my mothers house into the chamber of her that conceiued me.

It was only a little while after I had passed them that I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the bedroom of the one who had conceived me.

5 I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes and by the hindes of the fielde, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my loue vntill she please.

I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the fields, that you will not awaken or arouse love until she pleases.

6 Who is shee that commeth vp out of the wildernes like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and incense, and with all the spices of the marchant?

What is that coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the powders sold by merchants?

7 Beholde his bed, which is Salomons: threescore strong men are round about it, of the valiant men of Israel.

Look, it is the bed of Solomon; sixty warriors surround it, sixty soldiers of Israel.

8 They all handle the sworde, and are expert in warre, euery one hath his sword vpon his thigh for the feare by night.

All of them are skilled with a sword and are experienced in warfare. Every man has his sword at his side, armed against the terrors of the night.

9 King Salomon made himselfe a palace of the trees of Lebanon.

King Solomon made himself a sedan chair of the wood from Lebanon.

10 Hee made the pillars thereof of siluer, and the pauement thereof of gold, the hangings thereof of purple, whose middes was paued with the loue of the daughters of Ierusalem.

Its posts were made of silver; the back was made of gold, and the seat of purple cloth. Its interior was decorated with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 Come forth, ye daughters of Zion, and behold the King Salomon with the crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him in ye day of his mariage, and in the day of the gladnes of his heart.

Go out, daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon, bearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day, on the day of the joy of his heart.