1 Solomon’s Finest Song. a b

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

For your d love is e more delightful than wine. f

3 The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating; g

your name is perfume poured out. h

No wonder young women i adore you.

4 Take me with you j—let us hurry.

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

Y We will rejoice and be glad for you;

we will praise your love more than wine.

W It is only right that they adore you.

5 Daughters of Jerusalem, l

I am dark like the tents of Kedar, m

yet lovely n like the curtains of Solomon.

6 Do not stare at me because I am dark,

for the sun has gazed on me.

My mother’s sons were angry with me; o

they made me a keeper of the vineyards. p

I have not kept my own vineyard. q

7 Tell me, you, the one I love: r

Where do you pasture your sheep? s

Where do you let them rest at noon? t

Why should I be like one who veils herself u v

beside the flocks of your companions? w

M x 8 If you do not know,

most beautiful of women, y

follow z the tracks of the flock,

and pasture your young goats

near the shepherds’ tents.

9 I compare you, my darling, a

to a b mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. c d

10 Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry, e

your neck with its necklace.

11 We will make gold jewelry for you,

accented with silver.

W 12 While the king is on his couch, f

my perfume g releases its fragrance. h

13 My love is a sachet of myrrh to me, i

spending the night between my breasts.

14 My love is a cluster of henna blossoms to me, j

in the vineyards of En-gedi. k l

M 15 How beautiful you are, my darling.

How very beautiful!

Your eyes are doves. m

W 16 How handsome you are, my love. n

How delightful!

Our bed is lush with foliage;

17 the beams of our house are cedars,

and our rafters are cypresses. o