1 O, that you were like a brother to me, who nursed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outside, 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 has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from the nectar of my pomegranate.
3 O that his left hand were under my head, and his right hand embraced me.
4 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, Do not arouse or awaken love until it so delights.
5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you. There your mother travailed with you. There she who was in labor gave you birth.
6 Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as Sheol. Its flames are bolts of fire, the flame of Adonai.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor rivers wash it away. If one gave all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.