< Song of Solomon 1 >
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
The Song of Songs, which is by Solomon.
2 Oh that he might kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy caresses are more pleasant than wine.
[[M.]] O that he would kiss me with one of the kisses of his mouth! For thy love is better than wine.
3 To the smell are thy fragrant oils pleasant, [like] precious oil poured forth is thy name [famous afar]: therefore do maidens love thee.
Because of the savor of thy precious perfumes, (Thy name is like fragrant oil poured forth, ) Therefore do the virgins love thee.
4 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.—
Draw me after thee; let us run! The king hath led me to his chambers! We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will praise thy love more than wine. Justly do they love thee!
5 Black am I, yet comely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6 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.—
Gaze not upon me because I am black, Because the sun hath looked upon me! My mother's sons were angry with me; They made me keeper of the vineyards; My vineyard, my own, have I not kept.
7 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?—
Tell me, thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest thy flock, Where thou leadest it to rest at noon; For why should I be like a veiled one by the flocks of thy companions?
8 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.—
[[Lad.]] If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Trace thou thy way by the tracks of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents!
9 Unto the horse in Pharaoh's chariot do I compare thee, my beloved.
[[Lov.]] To the horses in the chariots of Pharaoh Do I compare thee, my love!
10 Comely are thy cheeks between strings [of pearls], thy neck with rows [of jewels].
Comely are thy cheeks with rows of jewels, Thy neck with strings of pearls.
11 Chains of gold will we make for thee with studs of silver.—
Golden chains will we make for thee, With studs of silver.
12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its [pleasant] smell.
[[M.]] While the king reclineth at his table, My spikenard sendeth forth its fragrance.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my friend unto me, that resteth on my bosom.
A bunch of myrrh is my beloved to me; He shall abide between my breasts.
14 A copher-cluster is my friend unto me in the vineyards of 'En-gedi.—
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna-flowers From the gardens of Engedi.
15 Lo, thou art beautiful, my beloved: lo, thou art beautiful: thy eyes are those of a dove.—
[[Lov.]] Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair! Thine eyes are doves.
16 Lo, thou art beautiful, my friend, also pleasant: also our couch is [made in the] green [wood].
[[M.]] Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, lovely; And green is our bed.
17 The beams of our houses are cedars and our wainscoting of cypress-trees.
The cedars are the beams of our house, And its roof the cypresses.