| New American Standard Bible | ►► |
The Young Shulammite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters
1The[a]Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.[b]The Bride2“May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is[c]sweeter than wine.3“Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,Your name islike[d]purified oil;Therefore the[e]young women love you.4“Draw me after youand let’s runtogether!The king has brought me into his chambers.”The Chorus
“We will rejoice in you and be joyful;We will praise your love more than wine.Rightly do they love you.”The Bride5“I am black and beautiful,You daughters of Jerusalem,Like the tents of Kedar,Like the curtains of Solomon.6“Do not stare at me because I am[f]dark,For the sun has tanned me.My mother’s sons were angry with me;They made me caretaker of the vineyards,But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.7“Tell me, you whom my soul loves,Where do you pastureyour flock,Where do you haveit lie down at noon?For why should I be like one who[g]veils herselfBeside the flocks of your companions?”Solomon, the Lover, Speaks
8“If you yourself do not know,Most beautiful among women,Go out on the trail of the flock,And pasture your young goatsBy the tents of the shepherds.9“[h]To me, my darling, you are likeMy mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.10“Your cheeks are delightful with jewelry,Your neck with strings of beads.”The Chorus11“We will make for you jewelry of goldWith beads of silver.”The Bride12“While the king was at his table,My[i]perfume gave forth its fragrance.13“My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrhWhich lies all night between my breasts.14“My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossomsIn the vineyards of Engedi.”The Groom15“[j]How beautiful you are, my darling,[k]How beautiful you are!Your eyes arelike doves.”The Bride16“[l]How handsome you are, my beloved,And so delightful!Indeed, our bed is luxuriant!