Song of Solomon 1
1 The Song of Songs, which pertaineth to Solomon.
Solomon's song of songs.
2 [SHE] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! [THEY] For better are thy caresses than wine:
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 Like the fragrance of thy precious oils, Oil poured out, is thy name, For this cause, 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 [SHE] Draw me! [THEY] After thee, will we run! [SHE] The king, hath brought me, into his chambers. [THEY] We will exult and rejoice in thee, we will mention thy caresses, beyond wine, Sincerely they 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 [SHE] Swarthy, I am but comely, ye daughters of Jerusalem. [THEY] Like the tents of Kedar, like 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 [SHE] Do not look on me, because, I, am so swarthy, because the sun hath scorched me, —My mother’s sons, were angry with me, they set me to keep the vineyards, 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, thou loved of my soul! Where wilt thou pasture thy flock? Where wilt thou let them recline at noon? For why should I be as one that wrappeth a veil about her, 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 [HE] If thou know not of thyself, most beautiful among women! get thee forth in the footsteps of the flock, and pasture thy kids by the huts of the shepherds. …
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 To a mare of mine, in the chariots of Pharaoh, have I likened thee, my fair one!
My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses that pull his chariots,
10 Comely are thy cheeks, with bead-rows, thy neck, with strings of gems.
Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 [THEY] Rows of golden ornaments, will we make thee, with studs of silver.
Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.
12 [SHE] By the time the king is in his circle, my nard, will have given out its fragrance:
As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.
13 A bag of myrrh, is my beloved to me, between my breasts, shall it tarry the night!
My love is like a pouch of myrrh, lying all night between my breasts.
14 A cluster of henna, is my beloved to me, in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 [HE] Lo! thou art beautiful my fair one, lo! thou art beautiful, Thine eyes, [are] doves!
Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.
16 [SHE] Lo! thou art beautiful, my beloved, Yea delightful! [BOTH] Yea! our couch, is covered with leaves:
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 fretted ceiling, is cypress-trees.
with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.
