Song of Solomon

¹ The Song—best of all songs—Solomon's song!

² Yes! For your love is better than wine,

³ The syllables of your name murmur like a meadow brook. No wonder everyone loves to say your name!

⁴ An elopement with my King-Lover! We'll celebrate, we'll sing, we'll make great music. Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine. Everyone loves you—of course! And why not?

⁵ oh, dear sisters in Jerusalem, Weather-darkened like Kedar desert tents, time-softened like Solomon's Temple hangings.

⁶ darkened by the sun's harsh rays. My brothers ridiculed me and sent me to work in the fields. They made me care for the face of the earth, but I had no time to care for my own face.

⁷ —I love you so much— Tell me where you're tending your flocks, where you let them rest at noontime. Why should I be the one left out, outside the orbit of your tender care?

⁸ it's all right. Stay with your flocks. Lead your lambs to good pasture. Stay with your shepherd neighbors.

⁹ well-groomed and satiny mares.

¹⁰ strands of jewels illumine the curve of your throat.

¹¹ that will mark and accent your beauty.

¹² my fragrance filled the room.

¹³ the head of my lover was a sachet of sweet myrrh.

¹⁴ picked just for me from the fields of Engedi.

¹⁵ And your eyes so beautiful—like doves!

¹⁶ And the bed we share is like a forest glen.

¹⁷ enclosed by cypresses, fragrant and green.