Shared Word Translation
Song of Songs 8
Longing and Love
Oh that you were like a brother to me,
one who nursed at my mother's breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and none would despise me.
I would lead you
and bring you into my mother's house,
she who taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the juice of my pomegranate.
His left hand is under my head,
and his right hand embraces me.
I adjure you,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
do not stir up
or awaken love
until it pleases.
Love Strong as Death
Who is this
coming up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?
Under the apple tree I awakened you.
There your mother was in labor with you;
there she who bore you
was in labor.
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as Sheol.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers overwhelm it.
If a man were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
he would be utterly despised.
The Brothers Speak
We have a little sister,
and she has no breasts.
What shall we do for our sister
on the day when she is spoken for?
If she is a wall,
we will build upon her
a battlement of silver.
But if she is a door,
we will enclose her
with boards of cedar.
The Bride Responds
I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Then I became in his eyes
as one who finds peace.
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon.
He entrusted the vineyard to keepers.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand pieces of silver.
My vineyard, my own,
is before me.
You, O Solomon, may have the thousand,
and the keepers of its fruit two hundred.
The Final Exchange
O you who dwell in the gardens,
the companions listen for your voice;
let me hear it.
Hurry, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle
or a young stag
upon the mountains of spices.