Chapter 3

Young Woman

1 One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover.

I yearned for him, but he did not come.

2 So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city,

searching in all its streets and squares.

I will search for the one I love.”

So I searched everywhere but did not find him.

3 The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds,

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

4 Then scarcely had I left them

when I found my love!

I caught and held him tightly,

then I brought him to my mother’s house,

into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived.

5 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,

by the gazelles and wild deer,

not to awaken love until the time is right.*

Young Women of Jerusalem

6 Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness

like a cloud of smoke?

Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense

and every kind of spice?

7 Look, it is Solomon’s carriage,

surrounded by sixty heroic men,

the best of Israel’s soldiers.

8 They are all skilled swordsmen,

experienced warriors.

Each wears a sword on his thigh,

ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.

9 King Solomon’s carriage is built

of wood imported from Lebanon.

10 Its posts are silver,

its canopy gold;

its cushions are purple.

It was decorated with love

by the young women of Jerusalem.

Young Woman

11 Come out to see King Solomon,

young women of Jerusalem.*

He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day,

his most joyous day.