Song of Songs 8

The Power of Love

1 If only you were my brother, fed at my mother’s breasts! Then I could kiss you in public without shame.

2 I would lead you, bring you to my mother’s house, and you would teach me. I would give you spiced wine and juice from my pomegranates.

3 His left arm under my head, his right arm embracing me.

4 Promise me, daughters of Jerusalem, do not awaken love till it is ready.

Love’s Strength

5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her lover, Under the apple tree I awakened you; there your mother conceived you.

6 Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm, because love strong as death, jealousy unyielding as the grave. Its flames a blazing fire.

7 Many waters cannot drown love, rivers cannot wash it away. If someone gave all his wealth for love, it would be laughed off.

The Bride’s Maturity

8 We got a little sister with no breasts, what are we going to do for her when she gets asked for marriage,

9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her; if she is a door, we will enclose her with cedar boards.

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, now I bring peace to my man.

The Lover’s Vineyard

11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon; he let men rent it for silver.

12 But my own vineyard mine to keep; you can have your thousand, Solomon, and the keepers two hundred.

13 You who dwell in the gardens, my friends listening for your voice, let me hear it.

14 Come quickly, my love, be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.