< Song of Songs 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 your breasts are better than wine.
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 And the smell of your ointments is better than all spices: your name is ointment poured forth; therefore do the young maidens love 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 They have drawn you: we will run after you, for the smell of your ointments: the king has brought me into closet: let us rejoice and be glad in you; we will love your breasts more than wine: righteousness loves 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 black, but beautiful, you 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 dark, because the sun has looked unfavourably upon me: my mother's sons strove with me; they made me keeper in the vineyards; I have not kept my own vineyard.
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, [you] whom my soul loves, where you tend your flock, where you cause [them] to rest at noon, lest I become as one that is veiled by 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 know not yourself, you fair one among women, go you forth by the footsteps of the flocks, and feed your kids by the shepherd's 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 likened you, my companion, to my horses in the chariots of Pharao.
My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
10 How are your cheeks beautiful as [those] of a dove, your neck as chains!
Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you figures of gold with studs of silver.
Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
12 So long as the king was at table, my spikenard gave forth its smell.
As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
13 My kinsman is to me a bundle of myrrh; he shall lie between my breasts.
My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
14 My kinsman is to me a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of Engaddi.
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Behold, you are fair, my companion; behold, you are fair; your eyes are doves.
Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
16 Behold, you are fair, my kinsman, yes, beautiful, overshadowing 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 ceilings are of cypress.
with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.

< Song of Songs 1 >