1The song of songs , which is Solomon’s . 2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth : for thy love is better than wine . 3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth , therefore do the virgins love thee. 4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers : we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine : the upright love thee.
The Bride's Beauty and Worth
5I am black , but comely , O ye daughters of Jerusalem , as the tents of Kedar , as the curtains of Solomon . 6Look not upon me, because I am black , because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards ; but mine own vineyard have I not kept . 7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth , where thou feedest , where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon : for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions ?
The Beloved's Invitation
8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women , go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock , and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents . 9I have compared thee, O my love , to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots . 10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels , thy neck with chains of gold . 11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver .
The Celebration of Love
12While the king sitteth at his table , my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts . 14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi . 15Behold, thou art fair , my love ; behold, thou art fair ; thou hast doves’ eyes . 16Behold, thou art fair , my beloved , yea, pleasant : also our bed is green . 17The beams of our house are cedar , and our rafters of fir .