Song of Solomon 8
1I wish that you were like my brother, 1 who nursed at my mother's breasts. 1 Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, 1 and no one would despise me. 1
2I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— 1 she who taught me. 1 I would give you spiced wine to drink 1 and some of the juice of my pomegranates. The woman speaking to herself 1
3His left hand is under my head 1 and his right hand embraces me. The woman speaking to the other women 1
4I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, 1 that you will not interrupt our lovemaking 1 until it is over. The women of Jerusalem speaking 1
5Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, 1 leaning on her beloved? The woman speaking to the man 1 I awakened you under the apricot tree; 1 there your mother conceived you; 1 there she gave birth to you, she delivered you. 1
6Set me as a seal over your heart, 1 like a seal on your arm, 1 for love is as strong as death. 1 Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; 1 its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, 1 a flame hotter than any other fire. 1
7Surging waters cannot quench love, 1 nor can floods sweep it away. 1 If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, 1 the offer would utterly be despised. The woman's brothers speaking among themselves 1
8We have a little sister, 1 and her breasts have not yet grown. 1 What can we do for our sister 1 on the day when she will be promised in marriage? 1
9If she is a wall, 1 we will build on her a tower of silver. 1 If she is a door, 1 we will adorn her with boards of cedar. The woman speaking to herself 1
10I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; + 8:10 Some versions read I am a wall, and my breasts are like fortress towers . 1 so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace. + 8:10 Some versions read so I have found favor in his eyes . The woman speaking to herself 1
11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. 1 He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. 1 Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. 1
12My vineyard, my very own, is before me; 1 the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, 1 and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit. The man speaking to the woman 1
13You who live in the gardens, 1 my companions are listening for your voice; 1 let me hear it. The woman speaking to the man 1
14Hurry, my beloved, 1 and be like a gazelle or a young stag 1 on the mountains of spices.