1 This is Solomon'smost beautiful song.
2 Kiss me tenderly!Your love is better than wine,
3 and you smell so sweet.All the young women adore you;the very mention of your nameis like spreading perfume.
4-5 Hurry, my king! Let's hurry.Take me to your home.We are happy for you!And we praise your loveeven more than wine.Young women of Jerusalem,it is only rightthat you should adore him.My skin is dark and beautiful,like a tent in the desertor like Solomon's curtains.
6 Don't stare at mejust because the sunhas darkened my skin.My brothers were angry with me;they made me work in the vineyard,and so I neglectedmy complexion.Don't let the other shepherdsthink badly of me.
7 I'm not one of those womenwho shamelessly followafter shepherds.My darling, I love you!Where do you feed your sheepand let them rest at midday?
8 My dearest, if you don't know,just follow the pathof the sheep.Then feed your young goatsnear the shepherds' tents.
9 You move as gracefullyas the pony that leadsthe chariot of the king.
10 Earrings add to your beauty,and you wear a necklaceof precious stones.
11 Let's make you some jewelleryof gold, woven with silver.
12 My king, while youwere on your couch,my love was a magic charm.
13 My darling, you are perfumebetween my breasts;
14 you are flower blossomsfrom the gardens of En-Gedi.
15 My darling, you are lovely,so very lovely—your eyes are those of a dove.
16 My love, you are handsome,truly handsome—the fresh green grasswill be our wedding bed
17 in the shade of cedarand cypress trees.