1 The Song of Songs, which belongs to Solomon.
2 May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is sweeter than wine.
3 Your perfumes have a pleasing scent; your name is perfume poured out; so the young women love you.
4 Take me with you; let us hurry. The king has led me into his rooms. We will be glad and rejoice in you; we will celebrate your love above wine. How right they are to love you!
5 I am black and beautiful, daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the hangings of Solomon.
6 Do not look at me for being dark, because the sun has gazed on me. My mother's sons were angry at me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.
7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where do you pasture your flock? Where do you make it lie down at midday? Why should I be like one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?
8 If you do not know, fairest of women, follow the tracks of the flock and graze your young goats by the shepherds' tents.
9 I compare you, my love, to a mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.
10 Your cheeks are lovely between the ornaments, your neck with its strings of beads.
11 We will make you circlets of gold studded with silver.
12 While the king was on his couch, my nard sent out its scent.
13 My beloved is a pouch of myrrh to me, resting all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is a spray of henna blossoms to me, in the vineyards of En-gedi.
15 Look how fair you are, my love! Look how fair! Your eyes are doves.
16 Look how handsome you are, my beloved, how charming! Our bed is green with leaves.
17 The beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are of fir.