1 I wish you were like my brotherwho fed at my mother’s breasts.If I found you outside,I would kiss you,and no one would look down on me.
2 I would lead you and bring youto my mother’s house;she is the one who taught me.I would give you a drink of spiced winefrom my pomegranates.
3 My lover’s left hand is under my head,and his right arm holds me tight.
4 Women of Jerusalem,promise not to awakenor excite my feelings of loveuntil it is ready.
5 Who is this coming out of the desert,leaning on her lover?I woke you under the apple treewhere you were born;there your mother gave birth to you.
6 Put me like a seal on your heart,like a seal on your arm.Love is as strong as death;jealousy is as strong as the grave.Love bursts into flamesand burns like a hot fire.
7 Even much water cannot put out the flame of love;floods cannot drown love.If a man offered everything in his house for love,people would totally reject it.
8 We have a little sister,and her breasts are not yet grown.What should we do for our sisteron the day she becomes engaged?
9 If she is a wall,we will put silver towers on her.If she is a door,we will protect her with cedar boards.
10 I am a wall,and my breasts are like towers.So I was to him,as one who brings happiness.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon.He rented the vineyards for others to tend,and everyone who rented had to paytwenty-five pounds of silver for the fruit.
12 But my own vineyard is mine to give.Solomon, the twenty-five pounds of silver are for you,and five pounds are for those who tend the fruit.
13 You who live in the gardens,my friends are listening for your voice;let me hear it.
14 Hurry, my lover,be like a gazelleor a young deeron the mountains where spices grow.