1 I am a rose1 2:1 Possibly a member of the crocus family of Sharon,
a lily of the valleys. |
2 Like a lily among thorns
is my darling among the maidens. |
3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
is my lover among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste. |
4 He has taken me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love. |
5 Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love. |
6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me. |
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires. |
8 Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills. |
9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice. |
10 My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me. |
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone. |
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land. |
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me." |
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely. |
15 Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom. |
16 My lover is mine and I am his;
he browses among the lilies. |
17 Until the day breaks
and the shadows flee,
turn, my lover,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the rugged hills.2 2:17 Or the hills of Bether |
