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, in the nights, I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

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 rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broadways Will I seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

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?”

The watchmen that go about the city found me: — Have ye seen him whom my soul loveth?

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).

— Scarcely had I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother's house, And into the chamber of her that 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.

I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.

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, [she] that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders 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 his couch, Solomon's own: Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty 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.

They all hold the sword, Experts in war; Each hath his sword upon his thigh Because of alarm in the nights.

9 King Solomon [commanded his servants] to make that portable chair for him; [it was made] with wood from Lebanon.

King Solomon made himself a palanquin Of the wood 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.

Its pillars he made of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple; The midst thereof was paved [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.

Go forth, daughters of Zion, And behold king Solomon With the crown wherewith his mother crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.