[1] I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. [2] Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens. [3] Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. [4] He has brought me to the house of wine, and his banner over me is love. [5] Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. [6] His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. [7] O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right. [8] Listen! My beloved approaches. Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. [9] My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. [10] My beloved calls to me, “Arise, my darling. Come away with me, my beautiful one. [11] For now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. [12] The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree ripens its figs; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come away, my darling; come away with me, my beautiful one.” [14] O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely. [15] Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom. [16] My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies. [17] Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.
