[1] I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. [2] As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the maidens. [3] As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shadow I sat with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. [4] He brought me to the banquet house, and his banner over me was 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 hand embraces me. [7] I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. [8] The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes leaping over 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, looking through the lattice. [10] My beloved speaks and says to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. [11] For now the winter has past; the rain is over and gone. [12] The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree puts forth its green figs, and the vines their blossoms; and they give forth fragrance. Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. [14] O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliffs, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. [15] Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." [16] My beloved is mine, and I am his; he feeds his flock among the lilies. [17] Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on the cleft mountains.
