Song of Solomon 1

The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

The passionate love poem, belonging to Solomon.

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

May he shower me with his affectionate kisses, for your love surpasses the sweetest wine.

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

The fragrance of your perfumes is lovely, and your name is like perfume poured out; no wonder the young women love you.

Draw 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.

Pull me close, and we'll chase after you. The king has welcomed me into his private space. We'll celebrate and find joy in you, cherishing your love more than the finest wine. Those who are righteous, they truly adore you.

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

Though my skin is dark, I am beautiful, dear ladies of Jerusalem, like the majestic tents of Kedar, like the elegant drapes of Solomon.

Look 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.

Don't judge me for my dark skin, it's the sun's doing. My siblings resented me, forcing me to tend to their vineyards, while neglecting my own.

Tell 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?

My beloved, where do you lead and rest your flock? Why should I feel lost among your friends' herds?

If 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.

If you're unsure, oh most beautiful woman, follow the path where the sheep tread, and graze your young goats near the shepherds' tents.

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

My love, you are as majestic and powerful as a team of horses leading Pharaoh's chariots.

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

Your cheeks glow beautifully, adorned with rows of precious gems, and your neck sparkles with golden chains.

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

We'll craft for you ornaments of gold, studded with sparkling silver.

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

As the king relaxes at his table, the fragrance of my perfume fills the air.

A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

My beloved is like a precious bundle of myrrh, resting close to my heart through the night.

My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

My love for me is like a bouquet of fragrant flowers in the lush vineyards of Engedi.

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

My love, you are truly beautiful; your eyes, pure and gentle, are like those of a dove.

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

Look, my love, you are beautiful, truly delightful. Our shared space is fresh and full of life.

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

Our home is built strong with cedar beams, and our ceilings are crafted from fragrant fir.