Song of Solomon 3

3In my bed at night ^x

I sought the one I love; ^y

I sought him, but did not find him. ^za

²I will arise now and go about the city,

through the streets and the plazas. ^b

I will seek the one I love.

I sought him, but did not find him.

³The guards who go about the city found me. ^c

I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love?”

⁴I had just passed them

when I found the one I love.

I held on to him and would not let him go

until I brought him to my mother’s house ^d—

to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

⁵Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and the wild does of the field:

do not stir up or awaken love

until the appropriate time. ^ef

N⁶What is this ^gcoming up from the wilderness

like columns of smoke,

scented with myrrh and frankincense ^h

from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

⁷It is Solomon’s royal litter ⁱ

surrounded by 60 warriors

from the mighty of Israel.

⁸All of them are skilled with swords

and trained in warfare.

Each has his sword at his side ^j

to guard against the terror of the night. ^k

⁹King Solomon made a sedan chair ^lfor himself

with wood from Lebanon.

¹⁰He made its posts of silver,

its back ^mof gold,

and its seat of purple.

Its interior is inlaid with love ⁿ

by the young women of Jerusalem. ^o

¹¹Come out, young women of Zion, ^p

and gaze at King Solomon,

wearing the crown his mother placed on him

the day of his wedding ^q—

the day of his heart’s rejoicing.