8 1 Oh, that you were like a brother to me, who nursed at my mother's breasts! If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me. 2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house — she who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranate. 3 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. 4 I urge you, daughters of Jerusalem: do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you; there your mother was in labor with you, there she who bore you was in labor.
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It flashes like fire, the very flame of our Father. a a v6 Love's fire here is named after God himself — this love burns with the very flame of our Father, the deepest source of all true and unquenchable love. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers sweep it away. If a man offered all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
8 We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? 9 If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver; but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
10 I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; then in his eyes I became like one who finds peace. 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he rented it out to tenant farmers, and each was to bring a thousand pieces of silver for its fruit. 12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me. The thousand are yours, Solomon, and two hundred for those who keep its fruit.
13 You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.
14 Come quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag upon the mountains of spices.