[1] The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. [2] "May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. [3] "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you. [4] "Draw me after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers." "We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." [5] "I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon. [6] "Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned 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, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?" [8] "If you yourself do not know, Most beautiful among women, Go forth on the trail of the flock And pasture your young goats By the tents of the shepherds. [9] "To me, my darling, you are like My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh. [10] "Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with strings of beads." [11] "We will make for you ornaments of gold With beads of silver." [12] "While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance. [13] "My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh Which lies all night between my breasts. [14] "My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms In the vineyards of Engedi." [15] "How beautiful you are, my darling, How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves." [16] "How handsome you are, my beloved, And so pleasant! Indeed, our couch is luxuriant! [17] "The beams of our houses are cedars, Our rafters, cypresses.
