8 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 housey—

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.z

4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until it so desires.a

Friends

5 Who is this coming up from the wildernessb

leaning on her beloved?

She

Under the apple tree I roused you;

there your mother conceivedc 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 loved is as strong as death,

its jealousya e unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

like a mighty flame.b

7 Many waters cannot quench love;

rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

all the wealth of one’s house for love,

itc would be utterly scorned.f

Friends

8 We have a little sister,

and her breasts are not yet grown.

What shall we do for our sister

on 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.

She

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 vineyardg in Baal Hamon;

he let out his vineyard to tenants.

Each was to bring for its fruit

a thousand shekelsd h of silver.

12 But my own vineyardi is mine to give;

the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,

and two hundrede are for those who tend its fruit.

He

13 You who dwell in the gardens

with friends in attendance,

let me hear your voice!

She

14 Come away, my beloved,

and be like a gazellej

or like a young stagk

on the spice-laden mountains.l