Song of Solomon 1

1The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.footnote a

3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.footnote b

5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?footnote c

8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.

10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.footnote d

15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.footnote e

16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.footnote f

The Bride Confesses Her Love

1This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.footnote a

The Bride

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is more delightful than wine. 3The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing;your name is like perfume poured out.No wonder the maidens adore you.

4Take me away with you—let us hurry!May the king bring me to his chambers.The FriendsWe will rejoice and delight in you;we will praise your love more than wine.The BrideIt is only right that they adore you.

5I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem,like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 6Do not stare because I am dark,for the sun has gazed upon me.My mother’s sons were angry with me;they made me a keeper of the vineyards,but my own vineyard I have neglected.

7Tell me, O one I love,where do you pasture your sheep?Where do you rest them at midday?Why should I be like a veiled womanbeside the flocks of your companions?

The Friends

8If you do not know, O fairest of women,follow the tracks of the flock,and graze your young goatsnear the tents of the shepherds.

The Bridegroom

9I compare you, my darling,to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. 10Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments,your neck with strings of jewels.

The Friends

11We will make you ornaments of gold,studded with beads of silver.

The Bride

12While the king was at his table,my perfume spread its fragrance. 13My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrhresting between my breasts. 14My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossomsin the vineyards of En-gedi.

The Bridegroom

15How beautiful you are, my darling!Oh, how very beautiful!Your eyes are like doves.

The Bride

16How handsome you are, my beloved!Oh, how delightful!The soft grass is our bed.

The Bridegroom

17The beams of our house are cedars;our rafters are fragrant firs.