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 thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breast of my mother! When I found thee abroad, I might kiss thee; And for it no one would deride 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 will lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, that thou mayst teach me; I will give thee spiced wine to drink, and the juice 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 hand embraceth me.
4 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over.
[[Lov.]] I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem! That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Till she please!
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.
[[Lad.]] Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? [[M.]] Under the apple-tree I awakened thee; There thy mother brought thee forth; There she that bore thee brought thee 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)
O set me as a seal upon thy heart, As a seal upon thine arm! For love is strong as death; True love is firm as the grave: Its flames are flames of fire, The fire of Jehovah. (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.
Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can floods drown it. Would a man give all the wealth of his house for love, It would be utterly contemned.
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?
[[Br.]] We have a sister who is yet young; She is yet without breasts. What shall we do with our sister, When she shall be 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 be a wall, We will build upon it a silver tower; If she be an open gate, We will inclose her with planks 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.
[[Sis.]] I am a wall, and my breasts like towers; Therefore am I become in his eyes as one that findeth 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 at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard to keepers; Every one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
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.
My vineyard is before my eyes. Be thine the thousand, O Solomon! And two hundred to the keepers of its fruit!
13 You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.
[[Lov.]] Thou that dwellest in the gardens! Friends listen to thy voice; Let me hear thee!
14 Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
Fly, my beloved! like a gazelle, or a young hind, Upon the mountains of spices.
