< Song of Solomon 3 >

1 All through the night [while I lay] on my bed, I longed for the one whom I love. I desired for him [to come], but he did not come.
On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him.
2 [So I said to myself], “I will get up now and walk around the city, through the streets and plazas, to search for the one whom I love.” [So] I [got up and] searched for him, but I could not find him.
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.
3 The city watchmen saw me while they were patrolling/walking around the city. [I asked them], “Have you seen the one whom I love?”
I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”
4 As soon as I walked past them, I found the one whom I love. I clung to him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).
I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
5 You women of Jerusalem, solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles [are listening], that you will not disturb us while we are making love until we are ready to quit.
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
6 Who is it that is coming from the desert, who is [stirring up dust] like a column of smoke from burning myrrh and incense [made from] spices [imported by] merchants?
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?
7 It is [Solomon], [sitting in] his portable chair surrounded by 60 bodyguards chosen from the strongest/greatest warriors in Israel.
Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.
8 They all have swords and they [all] (are trained to/know well how to) use them. Each one has his sword [strapped to] his side and [is prepared to defend Solomon from] dangers that might occur even during the night.
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.
9 King Solomon [commanded his servants] to make that portable chair for him; [it was made] with wood from Lebanon.
King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.
10 The [canopy that covered it] was (held up/supported) by posts made of silver, and the back of the chair was [embroidered] with gold. The seat/cushion was covered with purple cloth lovingly made/woven by the women of Jerusalem.
He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric. Its interior is inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 You women of Jerusalem, come and look at King Solomon wearing the headdress that his mother put on his head on the day when he was married, the day when he [SYN] was very happy.
Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown his mother bestowed on the day of his wedding— the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

< Song of Solomon 3 >