1 “a BRIDEGROOMI have come into my garden, my sister, my bride;
I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam.
I have eaten my honeycombb Lit withand my honey;
I have drunk my winec Lit withand my milk.
Eat, friends;
Drink andd Or become drunkimbibe deeply, O lovers.” | |
2 “e BRIDEI was asleep but my heart was awake.
A voice! My beloved was knocking:
‘Open to me, my sister, my darling,
My dove, my perfect one!
For my head isf Lit filleddrenched with dew,
My locks with theg Lit dropsdamp of the night.’ | |
3 “I have taken off my dress,
How can I put it on again?
I have washed my feet,
How can I dirty them again? | |
4 “My beloved extended his hand through the opening,
And myh Lit bowelsfeelings were aroused for him. | |
5 “I arose to open to my beloved;
And my hands dripped with myrrh,
And my fingers withi Lit passingliquid myrrh,
On the handles of the bolt. | |
6 “I opened to my beloved,
But my beloved had turned away and had gone!
Myj Lit soulheart went out to him as he spoke.
I searched for him but I did not find him;
I called him but he did not answer me. | |
7 “The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,
They struck me and wounded me;
The guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me. | |
8 “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
If you find my beloved,
As to what you will tell him:
For I am lovesick.” | |
9 “k CHORUSl Or What is your beloved more than another belovedWhat kind of beloved is your beloved,
O most beautiful among women?
m Or What is your beloved more than another belovedWhat kind of beloved is your beloved,
That thus you adjure us?” | |
10 “n BRIDEMy beloved is dazzling and ruddy,
o Lit Lifted up bannerOutstanding among ten thousand. | |
11 “His head is like gold, pure gold;
His locks are like clusters of dates
And black as a raven. | |
12 “His eyes are like doves
Beside streams of water,
Bathed in milk,
Andp Lit sitting uponreposed in their setting. | |
13 “His cheeks are like a bed of balsam,
Banks of sweet-scented herbs;
His lips are lilies
Dripping with liquid myrrh. | |
14 “His hands are rods of gold
Set with beryl;
His abdomen is carved ivory
Inlaid withq Lit lapis lazulisapphires. | |
15 “His legs are pillars of alabaster
Set on pedestals of pure gold;
His appearance is like Lebanon
Choice as the cedars. | |
16 “Hisr Lit palatemouth is full of sweetness.
And he is wholly desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.” | |
