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 your love is better than wine.
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth, therefore the virgins 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 Take me away with you. Let us hurry. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine. They are right to love 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 dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar's tents, like Solomon's curtains.
I'm black, but I'm beautiful, women of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't 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 graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside 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 do not know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats 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 you, my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.
My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.
Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you earrings of gold, with studs of silver.
Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
12 While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.
My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Look, you are beautiful, my love. Look, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves.
Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
16 Look, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant.
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 rafters are firs.
with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.
