Song of Solomon 1:1–11

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.^a

Woman

²Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!

For your caresses^A are more delightful than wine.^b

³The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating;^c

your name is perfume poured out.^d

No wonder young women^B adore you.

⁴Take me with you^e—let’s hurry.

Oh, that the king would bring^C me to his chambers.

Young Women

We will rejoice and be glad in you;

we will celebrate your caresses more than wine.

Woman

It is only right that they adore you.

⁵Daughters of Jerusalem,^f

I am dark like the tents of Kedar,^g

yet lovely^h like the curtains of Solomon.

⁶Do not stare at me because I am dark,

for the sun has gazed on me.

My mother’s sons were angry with me;ⁱ

they made me take care of the vineyards.^j

I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

⁷Tell me, you whom I love:^k

Where do you pasture your sheep?^l

Where do you let them rest at noon?^m

Why should I be like one who veils herself^D

beside the flocks of your companions?ⁿ

Man^E

⁸If you do not know,

most beautiful of women,^o

follow^F the tracks of the flock,

and pasture your young goats

near the shepherds’ tents.

⁹I compare you, my darling,^p

to a^G mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.^q

¹⁰Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry,^r

your neck with its necklace.

¹¹We will make gold jewelry for you,

accented with silver.