Song of Solomon 8

1 Oh that you were like my brother, who sucked the breasts of my mother. If I found you outside, I would kiss you; yes, and no one would despise me.

I wish that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother's breasts. Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me.

2 I would lead you, bringing you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.

I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— she who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink and some of the juice of my pomegranates.

3 His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.

His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me.

4 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over.

5 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I aroused you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you.

Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? The woman speaking to the man I awakened you under the apricot tree; there your mother conceived you; there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.

6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of the LORD. (Sheol h7585)

Set me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, a flame hotter than any other fire. (Sheol h7585)

7 Many waters can't quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

Surging waters cannot quench love, nor can floods sweep it away. If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, the offer would utterly be despised.

8 We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for?

We have a little sister, and her breasts have not yet grown. What can we do for our sister on the day when she will be promised in marriage?

9 If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.

If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver. If she is a door, we will adorn her with boards of cedar.

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I was in his eyes like one who found peace.

I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

12 My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon; two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

My vineyard, my very own, is before me; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit.

13 You who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice.

You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.

14 Come away, my beloved. Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.

Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.