\NormalFont\ShortTitle{SONG OF SONGS}

{\MTB This book contains songs that King Solomon sang with his beloved. We call this book

\par }{\MT Song of Songs



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\PP \VerseOne{1}This is
{\ADD{King}} Solomon’s most beautiful song.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH The young woman speaks to her lover
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}Kiss me
{\ADD{on my lips}},

\par }{\QB because your love
{\ADD{for me}} is more delightful than wine.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The fragrance of the cologne on your
{\ADD{skin}} is
{\ADD{very}} sweet/pleasing [CHI].

\par }{\QB And your reputation is
{\ADD{very}} good and spreads,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like}} [SIM] the fragrance of the special oil spread on your skin.

\par }{\Q That is why the
{\ADD{other}} young women are attracted to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Take me quickly;

\par }{\QB take me to your home.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{It is as though}} you are my king;

\par }{\QB take me into your room.

\par }{\SH Their friends speak to the man
\par }
{\Q We are very happy [DOU] about you;

\par }{\QB we say that your love
{\ADD{for each other}} is better than wine.

\par }{\QB It is not surprising that the other young women adore you.


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}You women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB I am dark but beautiful;

\par }{\Q my dark skin is like [SIM] the tents in Kedar,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{or}} like the beautiful curtains in Solomon’s palace.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}{\ADD{But}} do not stare at me because of the sun having caused my skin to become dark;

\par }{\Q my brothers were angry with me,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{so}} they forced me to work
{\ADD{out in the sunshine}} in the vineyards,

\par }{\QB so I was not able to take good care of my body/skin [CHI, MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}You whom I [SYN] love, where will you take your flock of sheep today?

\par }{\QB Where will you allow them to rest at noontime?

\par }{\Q I want to know because it is not right [RHQ] for me to wander around like a prostitute

\par }{\QB looking for you among the flocks that belong to your friends.


\par }{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}You who are the most beautiful of all the women,

\par }{\QB if you
{\ADD{search for me and}} do not know
{\ADD{where I will take my sheep}},

\par }{\Q follow the tracks/footprints of the sheep.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Then}} allow your young goats to ◄graze/eat grass► near the shepherds’ tents.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}You
{\ADD{are beautiful}}, my darling, like the young female horse

\par }{\QB that pulls the chariot of the king of Egypt.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Your cheeks are decorated with jewelry,

\par }{\QB and there are strings of beads/pearls around your neck.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}We will make for you
{\ADD{some}} gold earrings

\par }{\QB that are decorated/inlaid with silver.


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}While the king was on his couch,

\par }{\QB the smell of my perfume spread
{\ADD{around the room}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The man who loves me is
{\ADD{as delightful as [MET]}} a ◄sachet/small cloth bag► of myrrh between my breasts.


\par }{\QB \VS{14}He is like [MET] a bunch of flowers from the vineyards at En-Gedi.


\par }{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}You whom I love, you are beautiful;

\par }{\QB you are very beautiful!

\par }{\Q Your eyes are
{\ADD{as delightful/charming as}} doves.


\par }{\SH The woman replies
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}You who love me, you are very delightful/handsome,

\par }{\QB you are wonderful!

\par }{\QB This green grass will be
{\ADD{like}} a couch
{\ADD{where we lie down}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}{\ADD{Branches of}} cedar
{\ADD{trees}} will shade us;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it is as though branches of}} juniper/pine
{\ADD{trees}} will be like [MET] a roof
{\ADD{over our heads}}.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}I am
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a flower/rose from the Sharon
{\ADD{Plain}},

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a lily
{\ADD{that grows}} in a valley.


\par }{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}Among the
{\ADD{other}} young women,

\par }{\QB the one whom I love is like [MET] a lily
{\ADD{growing}} among thorns!


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{3}And among
{\ADD{the other}} men, you, the man who loves me, are like [MET] an apple/fruit tree
{\ADD{that grows}} in the forest.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{You are like a tree whose}} shadow
{\ADD{protects me from the sun}},

\par }{\Q and your
{\ADD{being close to me}} [EUP] is like [MET] eating sweet fruit.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}You led me to the ◄banquet room/room where we could make love►,

\par }{\QB and it is evident that you love me very much.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Refresh me and strengthen me
{\ADD{with your lovemaking}}

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like I am refreshed by eating}} [MET, EUP] raisins and other fruit,

\par }{\QB because I very much desire that you love me even more.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Put your left arm under my head

\par }{\QB and with your right arm hold me close.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}You young women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles
{\ADD{are listening}}, that you will not

\par }{\Q disturb us while we are making love

\par }{\QB until we are ready to quit.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}I hear the voice of the man who loves me.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{It is as though}} [MET] he is leaping over the mountains

\par }{\Q and skipping over the hills


\par }{\Q \VS{9}like [SIM] a deer or a gazelle.

\par }{\QB Now he is standing outside the wall of our house,

\par }{\Q looking in the window,

\par }{\QB and peering through the ◄lattice/wooden strips inside the window frame►.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}He spoke to me and said,

\par }{\QB “You whom I love, get up;

\par }{\QB my beautiful one, come with me [CHI]!


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Look, the ◄winter/cold season► is ended;

\par }{\QB the rain has stopped;


\par }{\Q \VS{12}flowers are blooming throughout the country/land.

\par }{\QB It is now time to sing;

\par }{\Q we hear the doves cooing.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}There are young/new figs on the fig trees,

\par }{\QB and there are blossoms on the grapevines

\par }{\Q and their fragrance fills the air.

\par }{\QB You whom I love, get up;

\par }{\QB my beautiful one, come with me!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}{\ADD{You are like}} [MET] a dove that is hiding
{\ADD{far from me}} in an opening/crack in the rocky cliff.

\par }{\Q Show me your face,

\par }{\QB and allow me to hear your voice,

\par }{\QB because your voice is sweet-sounding

\par }{\Q and your face is lovely [CHI].”


\par }{\SH The woman continues to speak
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}{\ADD{There are other men who are like}} [MET] little jackals/foxes that ruin vineyards;

\par }{\QB do not allow
{\ADD{those men to attack me}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}You who love me, I belong to you and you belong to me,

\par }{\QB and you
{\ADD{experience pleasure when you kiss}} my lips

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like}} [MET] a shepherd enjoys taking care of his sheep.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}You who love me, come and be like [SIM] a gazelle or like a young deer on the hills of Bether,

\par }{\QB and then flee like a deer at dawn
{\ADD{tomorrow morning}},

\par }{\Q when the darkness fades.




\par }\PoetryChap{3}{\Q \VerseOne{1}All through the night
{\ADD{while I lay}} on my bed,

\par }{\QB I longed for the one whom I love.

\par }{\Q I desired for him
{\ADD{to come}},

\par }{\QB but he did not come.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{So I said to myself}},

\par }{\Q “I will get up now and walk around the city,

\par }{\QB through the streets and plazas,

\par }{\QB to search for the one whom I love.”

\par }{\Q {\ADD{So}} I
{\ADD{got up and}} searched for him,

\par }{\QB but I could not find him.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The city watchmen saw me

\par }{\QB while they were patrolling/walking around the city.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{I asked them}},

\par }{\QB “Have you seen the one whom I love?”


\par }{\Q \VS{4}As soon as I walked past them,

\par }{\QB I found the one whom I love.

\par }{\Q I clung to him and would not let him go

\par }{\QB until I had brought him to my mother’s house,

\par }{\QB to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).


\par }{\Q \VS{5}You women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles
{\ADD{are listening}}, that you will not

\par }{\Q disturb us while we are making love

\par }{\QB until we are ready to quit.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH One of their friends speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{6}Who is it that is coming from the desert,

\par }{\QB who is
{\ADD{stirring up dust}} like a column of smoke

\par }{\Q from burning myrrh and incense

\par }{\QB {\ADD{made from}} spices
{\ADD{imported by}} merchants?


\par }{\Q \VS{7}It is
{\ADD{Solomon}},
{\ADD{sitting in}} his portable chair

\par }{\QB surrounded by 60 bodyguards

\par }{\QB chosen from the strongest/greatest warriors in Israel.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}They all have swords

\par }{\QB and they
{\ADD{all}} ◄are trained to/know well how to► use them.

\par }{\Q Each one has his sword
{\ADD{strapped to}} his side

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{is prepared to defend Solomon from}} dangers that might occur even during the night.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}King Solomon
{\ADD{commanded his servants}} to make that portable chair for him;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it was made}} with wood from Lebanon.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The
{\ADD{canopy that covered it}} was ◄held up/supported► by posts made of silver,

\par }{\QB and the back of the chair was
{\ADD{embroidered}} with gold.

\par }{\Q The seat/cushion was covered with purple cloth

\par }{\QB lovingly made/woven by the women of Jerusalem.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}You women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB come and look at King Solomon

\par }{\Q wearing the headdress that his mother put on his head

\par }{\QB on the day when he was married,

\par }{\Q the day when he [SYN] was very happy.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My darling, you are beautiful,

\par }{\QB you are very beautiful!

\par }{\QB Underneath your veil, your eyes are
{\ADD{as gentle as}} [MET] doves.

\par }{\Q Your
{\ADD{long black}} hair
{\ADD{moves from side to side}} like [SIM] a flock of
{\ADD{black}} goats

\par }{\QB moving down the slopes of Gilead Mountain.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Your teeth are
{\ADD{very white}}

\par }{\QB like [SIM] a flock of sheep
{\ADD{whose wool}} has
{\ADD{just}} been ◄shorn/cut off►

\par }{\Q and that have come up from being washed
{\ADD{in a stream}}.

\par }{\Q You have all of your teeth;

\par }{\QB none of them is missing.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Your lips are like [SIM] a scarlet ribbon,

\par }{\QB and your mouth is lovely.

\par }{\Q Beneath your veil,

\par }{\QB your
{\ADD{round, rosy/red}} cheeks are like [SIM] the halves of a pomegranate.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Your
{\ADD{long}} neck is
{\ADD{beautiful}} like [SIM] the tower of
{\ADD{King}} David

\par }{\QB that was built using layers/rows of stone.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{The ornaments on your necklaces are like}} 1,000 [HYP] shields that are hanging
{\ADD{on the walls of a tower}};

\par }{\QB each one belongs to a warrior.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Your breasts are
{\ADD{as beautiful}} [SIM] as two ◄fawns/young gazelles►

\par }{\QB that eat
{\ADD{grass}} among lilies.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Until dawn
{\ADD{tomorrow morning}}

\par }{\QB and the nighttime shadows/darkness disappear,

\par }{\Q I will
{\ADD{lie close to your breasts}}

\par }{\QB that are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] hills that are covered with incense [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{7}My darling, you are completely beautiful;

\par }{\QB your body is perfectly
{\ADD{formed}}!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}My bride,
{\ADD{it is as though you are in}} [MET] Lebanon

\par }{\QB {\ADD{far away, where I cannot reach you}};

\par }{\Q come back to me.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{It is as though you are inaccessible}} [MET]

\par }{\QB on the top of Hermon Mountain or the nearby peaks.

\par }{\Q Come from where the lions have their dens

\par }{\QB and where the leopards live on the mountains.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}My bride [DOU], you who are dearer to me than my sister, you have captured my affection [IDM]

\par }{\QB by only once quickly looking at me,

\par }{\QB and by one
{\ADD{strand of}} jewels in your necklace.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}My bride, your love for me is delightful!

\par }{\QB It more delightful than wine!

\par }{\Q And the fragrance of your perfume

\par }{\QB is more pleasing than any spice!


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Being kissed by you is
{\ADD{as enjoyable as eating}} [MTY] honey;

\par }{\QB your kisses are as sweet as milk
{\ADD{mixed with}} honey.

\par }{\QB The aroma of your clothes

\par }{\QB is like [SIM] the aroma of
{\ADD{cedar trees in}} Lebanon.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}My bride,
{\ADD{you who are dearer to me than}} [MET] my sister, you are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a garden that is locked

\par }{\QB {\ADD{in order that other men cannot enter it}};

\par }{\Q {\ADD{you are like}} [MET] a spring or a fountain that is covered

\par }{\QB {\ADD{in order that others may not drink from it}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}You are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] an orchard of pomegranate trees

\par }{\QB full of delicious fruit,

\par }{\QB and plenty of
{\ADD{plants that produce}} henna and nard
{\ADD{spices}},


\par }{\QB \VS{14}and saffron and calamus and cinnamon

\par }{\QB and many other kinds of incense,

\par }{\QB and myrrh and aloes

\par }{\QB and many
{\ADD{other}} fine spices.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}{\ADD{You are like}} [MET] a fountain in a garden,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like}} [MET] a spring of clear water

\par }{\QB that flows
{\ADD{down}} from
{\ADD{the mountains of}} Lebanon.


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{I want}} the north wind and the south wind to come,

\par }{\QB and blow on my garden,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{in order that}} the fragrance
{\ADD{of the spices will}} spread through the air.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Similarly}}, I want the one who loves me to come and enjoy
{\ADD{cuddling up to me}}

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like}} [MET, EUP] someone comes into a garden and enjoys eating the fruit
{\ADD{that grows there}}.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My bride,
{\ADD{you who are dearer to me than}} my sister,

\par }{\QB I have come
{\ADD{to cuddle up to you}} [MET, EUP];

\par }{\Q {\ADD{it will be as though}} I will be gathering myrrh with my other spices,

\par }{\QB and eating my honey and my honeycomb,

\par }{\QB and drinking my wine and my milk.

\par }{\SH Their friends speak
\par }
{\Q You two who love each other, enjoy your lovemaking;

\par }{\QB enjoy all that you want to.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}I was partially asleep, but my mind was
{\ADD{still}} awake.

\par }{\QB Then I heard the one who loves me knocking
{\ADD{at the door}}.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{He said}}, “My darling,
{\ADD{you who are dearer to me than}} my sister, my dear friend, my perfect one, my dove [MET],

\par }{\QB open the door for me!

\par }{\Q My hair is wet from the dew,

\par }{\QB from the mist
{\ADD{that has fallen during}} the night.”


\par }{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{But}} I had already taken off my robe;

\par }{\QB I did not [RHQ] want to put it on again
{\ADD{to open the door}}.

\par }{\Q I had
{\ADD{already}} washed my feet;

\par }{\QB I did not [RHQ] want them to become dirty again.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The one who loves me put his hand through the opening
{\ADD{in the wall}},

\par }{\QB and I was thrilled
{\ADD{that he was there}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}I got up to open
{\ADD{the door}} for the one who loves me,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but first I put a lot of}} myrrh on my hands.

\par }{\Q The myrrh was dripping from my fingers

\par }{\QB while I unlatched the bolt.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}I opened
{\ADD{the door}} for the man who loves me,

\par }{\QB but he had left.

\par }{\Q He had turned away and was gone!

\par }{\QB I was very disappointed [IDM];

\par }{\Q I searched for him, but I could not find him.

\par }{\QB I called him, but he did not answer.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The city watchmen saw me while they were walking around the city.

\par }{\Q They beat me and wounded me

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because they thought I must be a prostitute}};

\par }{\QB those men who were guarding the city walls took my robe.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}You young women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB I plead with you,

\par }{\Q if you see the man who loves me,

\par }{\QB tell him [DOU] that I am very disappointed that we did not make love.


\par }{\SH Their friends speak
\par }
{\Q \VS{9}You who are the ◄fairest/most beautiful► among women,

\par }{\QB why
{\ADD{do you think that}} the one who loves you is better than other men?

\par }{\Q In what way is the man who loves you better than other men

\par }{\QB with the result that you ask us to tell him that?


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}The man who loves me is handsome and healthy,

\par }{\QB ◄outstanding among/better than► ◄10,000/an uncountable number of►
{\ADD{other men}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}His head is
{\ADD{beautiful, like}} [MET] purest gold;

\par }{\QB his hair is wavy

\par }{\QB and as black as [SIM] a raven/crow.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}His eyes
{\ADD{are as gentle}} as [SIM] doves

\par }{\QB along the streams;

\par }{\Q {\ADD{the white parts of}} his eyes are as white as [MET] milk,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{with what resembles}} jewels inlaid in them.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}His cheeks are like [SIM] a garden full of spice trees

\par }{\QB that produce
{\ADD{sweet-smelling}} perfume.

\par }{\Q His lips are
{\ADD{like}} [SIM] lilies

\par }{\QB that have myrrh/perfume dripping from them.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}His arms are like [MET] gold bars/rods

\par }{\QB that are decorated with precious stones/jewels.

\par }{\Q His body is like [SIM]
{\ADD{a column/pillar of}} ivory

\par }{\QB that is decorated with ◄sapphires/valuable
{\ADD{blue}} stones►.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}His legs are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] pillars of marble

\par }{\QB that are set in bases made of pure gold.

\par }{\Q He is
{\ADD{majestic, like the mountains of}} [SIM] Lebanon,

\par }{\QB as delightful/beautiful as [SIM] cedar
{\ADD{trees}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}His kisses [MTY] are extremely sweet;

\par }{\QB he is very handsome.

\par }{\Q You young women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB all that tells you why the one who loves me and who is my friend
{\ADD{is better than other men}}.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Their friends speak to the woman
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}You who are the most beautiful of all the women,

\par }{\QB where has the one who loves you gone?

\par }{\Q {\ADD{If you tell us}} which [RHQ] direction he went,

\par }{\QB we will go with you to search for him.


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{2}The one who loves me has now come
{\ADD{to me, who am like}} [MET, EUP] his garden,

\par }{\QB He has come to
{\ADD{enjoy my ◄charms/physical attractions► which are like}} [MET, EUP] spices,

\par }{\Q to enjoy cuddling up to me [EUP, MET],

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{kissing my lips, which are like}} [MET] lilies.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}I belong to the one who loves me, and the one who loves me belongs to me;

\par }{\QB he
{\ADD{enjoys kissing}} my lips

\par }{\QB like [MET]
{\ADD{a shepherd enjoys}} taking care of
{\ADD{his sheep}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}My darling, you are beautiful,

\par }{\QB like [SIM] Tirzah
{\ADD{the capital city of Israel}} and Jerusalem
{\ADD{the capital city of Judah are beautiful}};

\par }{\QB you are as exciting [MET] as a
{\ADD{group/battalion of}} troops holding up their banners.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Quit looking at me like that,

\par }{\QB because your eyes excite me very much.

\par }{\Q Your
{\ADD{long black}} hair
{\ADD{moves from side to side}} like [SIM] a flock of
{\ADD{black}} goats

\par }{\QB {\ADD{moving down the slopes}} of Gilead
{\ADD{Mountain}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Your teeth are
{\ADD{very white}}

\par }{\QB like [SIM] a flock of sheep
{\ADD{whose wool}} has just been shorn

\par }{\Q and that have come up from being washed
{\ADD{in a stream}}.

\par }{\Q You have all of your teeth;

\par }{\QB none of them is missing.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Beneath your veil,

\par }{\QB your cheeks are like [SIM] the halves of a pomegranate.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Even if a king had 60 queens and 80 ◄concubines/slave wives►

\par }{\QB and more young women than anyone can count,


\par }{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{none of them would be like}} my dove, who is perfect,

\par }{\QB you who are your mother’s only daughter,

\par }{\QB whom your mother considers to be very precious.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Other}} young women who see you say that you are fortunate,

\par }{\QB and the queens and concubines recognize that you
{\ADD{are very beautiful}}.


\par }{\SH Their friends speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}Who is [RHQ] this woman who is
{\ADD{as delightful}} as [SIM] the dawn,

\par }{\QB as fair/delightful
{\ADD{to look at}} as
{\ADD{the light of}} the moon,

\par }{\QB as exciting as a
{\ADD{group/battalion of}} troops holding up their banners?


\par }{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{11}I went down to some walnut trees

\par }{\QB to look at the new plants that were growing in the valley.

\par }{\Q I wanted to see if the grapevines had budded

\par }{\QB or if the pomegranate trees were blooming.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{But}} before I realized it,

\par }{\QB my desire
{\ADD{to make love caused me to be as excited as}} a prince riding in a chariot.


\par }{\SH Their friends speak
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}You who are the perfect one,

\par }{\QB come back
{\ADD{to us}}, in order that we may see you!

\par }{\SH The man speaks
\par }
{\Q Why do you want to look at this woman who is perfect,

\par }{\QB like [SIM] you like to watch two rows/lines of people dancing?




\par }\PoetryChap{7}{\Q \VerseOne{1}You who are the daughter of a prince/king,

\par }{\QB you have lovely feet in your sandals.

\par }{\Q Your curved hips/thighs are like [SIM] jewels

\par }{\QB that have been made by a ◄skilled craftsman/man who shapes jewels very well►.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Your navel is
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a round bowl

\par }{\QB that is always full of wine mixed
{\ADD{with spices}}.

\par }{\Q Your waist is
{\ADD{like}} [SIM] a mound/bundle of wheat

\par }{\QB with lilies
{\ADD{growing}} around it.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Your breasts are as
{\ADD{as beautiful}} as [SIM] two ◄fawns/young gazelles►.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Your neck is like [SIM] a tower
{\ADD{made of}} ivory.

\par }{\Q Your eyes
{\ADD{sparkle/shine like}} [MET] the pools in Heshbon
{\ADD{city}},

\par }{\QB near the Bath-Rabbim gate.

\par }{\Q Your nose is
{\ADD{is as lovely}} as [SIM] the tower of Lebanon

\par }{\QB which faces toward Damascus.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Your head is
{\ADD{majestic}} like [SIM] Carmel Mountain.

\par }{\QB Your long hair is shiny [SIM] and black;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it is as though}} I, your king, am captured by your tresses.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}You whom I love, who have many charming features that attract me,

\par }{\QB are very beautiful and pleasant/pleasing.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}You are stately like [SIM] a palm tree,

\par }{\QB and your breasts are like [SIM] clusters/bunches of dates/fruit.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}I said
{\ADD{to myself}}, “I will climb that palm tree

\par }{\QB and take hold of those clusters of dates.”

\par }{\Q To me, your breasts are like clusters of grapes
{\ADD{that I can feel}}

\par }{\QB and your breath is like the sweet fragrance of apples


\par }{\QB \VS{9}and your kisses are like very good wine.

\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q My kisses [MTY] go to the one who loves me

\par }{\QB and flow
{\ADD{like wine}} over his lips and his teeth.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}I belong to the man who loves me,

\par }{\QB and he desires me.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}You who love me, let’s go to the countryside,

\par }{\QB and sleep among the henna bushes (OR, in one of the villages).


\par }{\Q \VS{12}And let’s go early to the vineyards

\par }{\QB to see if the grapevines have budded

\par }{\QB and if there are blossoms on them that have opened,

\par }{\Q and to see if the pomegranate
{\ADD{trees}} are blooming,

\par }{\QB and there I will make love to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The mandrakes/love-apples are producing a fragrant odor,

\par }{\QB and we are surrounded by delightful
{\ADD{pleasures}} [MET, EUP],

\par }{\Q new ones and old ones,

\par }{\QB pleasures that I have been saving to give to you, who love me.




\par }\Chap{8}{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}I wish that you were my brother

\par }{\QB who ◄nursed at/drank milk from► my mother’s breasts
{\ADD{when you were a baby}},

\par }{\Q {\ADD{because, if you were my brother}}, if I saw you when you were outside
{\ADD{the house}},

\par }{\QB I could kiss you,

\par }{\QB and no one would say that my doing that was wrong.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{No one would object if}} I led you to my mother’s house,

\par }{\QB to where my mother, who taught me
{\ADD{many things}}, lives.

\par }{\Q I would like to take you to my mother’s house because I would
{\ADD{like to make love to you}} [EUP],

\par }{\Q {\ADD{and that would be as delightful as}} [MET] juice
{\ADD{squeezed}} from pomegranates.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}You would put your left arm under my head

\par }{\QB and with your right arm hold me close.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{I would say to}} you women of Jerusalem,

\par }{\QB “Solemnly promise me

\par }{\Q that you will not disturb us while we are making love

\par }{\QB until we are ready to quit.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH Their friends speak
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}Who is that
{\ADD{woman}} who is coming up from the desert,

\par }{\QB ◄leaning on/clinging close to► the man who loves her?

\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q I woke you up
{\ADD{when you were}} under the apple tree

\par }{\QB at the place where your mother conceived you,

\par }{\QB which is the same place where she gave birth to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Keep me
{\ADD{close to you}},

\par }{\QB like [SIM] a seal on your heart,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{or}} like [SIM] a bracelet on your arm.

\par }{\Q Our love
{\ADD{for each other}} is as powerful as death,

\par }{\QB it is as enduring as the grave.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{It is as though}} our love
{\ADD{for each other}} bursts into flames

\par }{\QB and burns like a hot fire.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Nothing can extinguish our love
{\ADD{for each other}},

\par }{\QB not
{\ADD{even}} a flood.

\par }{\Q If a man tried to cause a woman to love him by saying he would give her everything that is in his house,

\par }{\QB she would refuse.


\par }{\SH Their friends speak
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}We have a younger sister,

\par }{\QB and her breasts are still small.

\par }{\Q So this is [RHQ] what we should do for her on the day that we promise
{\ADD{some young man}} that he can marry her:


\par }{\Q \VS{9}If
{\ADD{her chest is flat like}} [MET] a wall,

\par }{\QB we will
{\ADD{decorate it by}} putting silver
{\ADD{jewels that are like}} [MET] towers on it.

\par }{\Q Or, if she is
{\ADD{flat like}} [MET] a door,

\par }{\QB we will decorate her with bits/pieces of cedar wood.


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}My
{\ADD{chest was previously flat like}} [MET] a wall,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but now}} my breasts are
{\ADD{big}} like [SIM] towers.

\par }{\Q So the one who loves me is delighted with me.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{King}} Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-Hamon,

\par }{\Q and he rented it to people for them to take care of it.

\par }{\QB He required each one to pay him 1,000 pieces of silver
{\ADD{each year}} for the grapes
{\ADD{that they harvested}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{But my body is like}} [MET] my own vineyard,

\par }{\QB and Solomon, I am giving it to you.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{You do not need to pay me}} 1,000 pieces of silver
{\ADD{to enjoy my body}},

\par }{\QB but I will give 200 pieces of silver to those who take care of me [MET].


\par }{\SH The man speaks to the woman
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}You are staying in the gardens

\par }{\QB and my friends are listening to your voice;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{so}} allow me to hear it,
{\ADD{too.}}


\par }{\SH The woman speaks
\par }
{\Q \VS{14}You who love me, come
{\ADD{to me}} quickly;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{run to me}} [MET, EUP] as fast as [SIM] a gazelle or young deer

\par }{\Q runs across [MET] hills of spices.


\par }