Song of Solomon 8:1–4

Oh 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 none would despise me.

I would lead you and bring you

into the house of my mother—

she who used to teach me.

I would give you spiced wine to drink,

the juice of my pomegranate.

His left hand is under my head,

and his right hand embraces me!

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

that you not stir up or awaken love

until it pleases.

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.

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.

His left arm is under my head

and his right arm embraces me.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until it so desires.

If only I could treat you like my brother,

one who nursed at my mother’s breasts,

I would find you in public and kiss you,

and no one would scorn me.

I would lead you, I would take you,

to the house of my mother who taught me.

I would give you spiced wine to drink

from the juice of my pomegranate.

May his left hand be under my head,

and his right arm embrace me.

Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you,

do not stir up or awaken love

until the appropriate time.

Oh, I wish you were my brother,

who nursed at my mother’s breasts.

Then I could kiss you no matter who was watching,

and no one would criticize me.

I would bring you to my childhood home,

and there you would teach me.

I would give you spiced wine to drink,

my sweet pomegranate wine.

Your left arm would be under my head,

and your right arm would embrace me.

Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,

not to awaken love until the time is right.

How I wish that you were my little brother,

who nursed upon my mother’s breasts!

If I met you outside, I would kiss you,

and no one would despise me!

I would surely bring you to the house of my mother,

who would surely teach me;

I would give you spiced wine to drink,

the sweet wine of my pomegranates.

His left hand is under my head,

and his right hand embraces me.

I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem,

do not arouse or awaken love until it pleases!

O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother!

When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee;

Yea, I should not be despised.

I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me:

I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

His left hand should be under my head,

And his right hand should embrace me.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.