1 In my bed at night  *

I sought the one I love;  *

I sought him, but did not find him.  *,*

2 I will arise now and go about the city,

through the streets and the plazas.  *

I will seek the one I love.

I sought him, but did not find him.

3 The guards who go about the city found me.  *

I asked them, "Have you seen the one I love? "

4 I had just passed them

when I found the one I love.

I held on to him and would not let him go

until I brought him to my mother’s house  *  —

to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

5 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and the wild does of the field,

do not stir up or awaken love

until the appropriate time.  *,*

6 Who is this  * coming up from the wilderness

like columns of smoke,

scented with myrrh and frankincense  *

from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

7 Look! Solomon’s bed

surrounded by sixty warriors

from the mighty men of Israel.

8 All of them are skilled with swords

and trained in warfare.

Each has his sword at his side  *

to guard against the terror of the night.  *

9 King Solomon made a carriage for himself

with wood from Lebanon.

10 He made its posts of silver,

its back  * of gold,

and its seat of purple.

Its interior is inlaid with love  *

by the young women of Jerusalem.  *

11 Go out, young women of Zion,  *

and gaze at King Solomon,

wearing the crown his mother placed on him

on the day of his wedding  *  —

the day of his heart’s rejoicing.