Song of Solomon 8 Oh that you were like my brother, who nursed from the breasts of my mother! Then if I found you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me. I would lead you, bringing you into the house of my mother who taught me. I give you spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranates. His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.

 

I admonish y’all, O daughters of Jerusalem: Y’all must not arouse or awaken love, until it so desires.

Friends

Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?

 

Beloved

Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you.

 

Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. It is like a blazing fire, like the flame of YHWH. Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a one gave all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Brothers

We have a little sister. whose breasts are not yet grown. What should we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for?

 

If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with planks of cedar.

Beloved

I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I was in his eyes like one who found peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon, two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

Lover

You who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

Beloved

Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices!