Song of Solomon 1
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
Solomon's song of songs.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
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 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
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 black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as 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 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
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 thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy 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 thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
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 have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En–gedi.
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.
Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
And you, my love, are so handsome—how charming you are! The green grass is our bed,
17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.
