Song of Songs 8

New International Version

• 1. If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother's breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.
• 2. I would lead you and bring you to my mother's house- she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.
• 3. His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.
• 4. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
• 5. Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.
• 6. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
• 7. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
• 8. We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for?
• 9. If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
• 10. I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
• 11. Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels of silver.
• 12. But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.
• 13. You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
• 14. Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.

New International Version