Song of Solomon 8

1 I wish that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother's breasts. Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me.

O that you were to me like a brother who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.

2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— she who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink and some of the juice of my pomegranates.

I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

3 His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me.

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

4 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over.

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

5 Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? The woman speaking to the man I awakened you under the apricot tree; there your mother conceived you; there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? I roused you under the apple tree; there your mother conceived you; there she travailed and brought you forth.

6 Set me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, a flame hotter than any other fire. (Sheol h7585)

Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. (Sheol h7585)

7 Surging waters cannot quench love, nor can floods sweep it away. If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, the offer would utterly be despised.

Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.

8 We have a little sister, and her breasts have not yet grown. What can we do for our sister on the day when she will be promised in marriage?

We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?

9 If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver. If she is a door, we will adorn her with boards of cedar.

If she is a wall, we will build a tower of silver upon her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

10 I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace.

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. So I have become in his eyes like one who brings peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon. He leased it to the tenants. For its fruit, each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver.

12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit.

But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

13 You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.

You who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice. Let me hear it!

14 Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.

Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.