1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. 1:1 1Kg 4:32
Woman
2 Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your caresses 1:2 Or acts of love are more delightful than wine. 1:2 Sg 4:10
3 The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating; 1:3 Jn 12:3
your name is perfume poured out. 1:3 Ec 7:1
No wonder young women 1:3 Or wonder virgins adore you.
4 Take me with you 1:4 Hs 11:4 — let’s hurry.
Oh, that the king would bring 1:4 Or The king has brought me to his chambers.
Young Women
We will rejoice and be glad in you;
we will celebrate your caresses more than wine.
Woman
It is only right that they adore you.
5 Daughters of Jerusalem, 1:5 Sg 2:7; 3:5,10; 5:8,16; 8:4
I am dark like the tents of Kedar, 1:5 Ps 120:5; Is 60:7
yet lovely 1:5 Sg 2:14; 4:3; 6:4 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; 1:6 Ps 69:8
they made me take care of the vineyards. 1:6 Sg 8:11
I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
7 Tell me, you whom I love: 1:7 Sg 3:1–4
Where do you pasture your sheep? 1:7 Sg 2:16; 6:3
Where do you let them rest at noon? 1:7 Is 13:20; Jr 33:12
Why should I be like one who veils herself 1:7 Or who wanders
beside the flocks of your companions? 1:7 Sg 8:13
Man 1:8 Some understand the young women to be the speakers in this verse.
8 If you do not know,
most beautiful of women, 1:8 Sg 5:9; 6:1
follow 1:8 Lit go out for yourself into the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
near the shepherds’ tents.
9 I compare you, my darling, 1:9 Sg 1:15
to a 1:9 Lit my mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. 1:9 2Ch 1:16–17
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with jewelry, 1:10 Sg 5:13
your neck with its necklace.
11 We will make gold jewelry for you,
accented with silver.
Woman
12 While the king is on his couch, 1:12 Or is at his table
my perfume 1:12 Lit nard releases its fragrance. 1:12 Sg 4:14; Mk 14:3; Jn 12:3
13 The one I love is a sachet of myrrh to me, 1:13 Ps 45:8; Jn 19:39
spending the night between my breasts.
14 The one I love is a cluster of henna blossoms to me, 1:14 Sg 4:13
in the vineyards of En-gedi. 1:14 1Sm 23:29
Man
15 How beautiful you are, my darling.
How very beautiful!
Your eyes are doves. 1:15 Sg 4:1
Woman
16 How handsome you are, my love. 1:16 Sg 2:3
How delightful!
Our bed is verdant;
17 the beams of our house are cedars,
and our rafters are cypresses. 1:17 Or firs, or pines