1Solomon's song of songs. ⁰

2Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, ¹for your love is sweeter ²than wine.

3I love the way you smell from the perfumed oils you use. You have quite a reputation ³—it spreads like spilled perfumed oil. It's not surprising that all the young women adore you!

4Take me by the hand—let's run! (The king ⁴has brought me to his bedroom.) Let's be happy together and find pleasure in your love. ⁵Your love is far better than wine! Women are right to adore you so! ⁶

5I'm black, but I'm beautiful, women of Jerusalem, ⁷like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.

6Don't look down on me because I'm black, because the sun has burned me. My brothers were angry with me and made me look after the vineyards, so I couldn't look after my own vineyard. ⁸

7My love, please tell me where you're taking your flock. Where will you rest them at noon? For why should I have to wear a veil while looking for you ⁹among the flocks of your companions? ¹⁰

8If you really don't know, you who are more beautiful than any other woman, then follow the tracks of my flock, and let your goats graze near the shepherd's tents.

9My darling, to me you're like a mare among Pharaoh's horses ¹¹that pull his chariots,

10Your beautiful cheeks adorned with ornaments, ¹²your neck with strings of jewels.

11Let's make you some gold ornaments inlaid with silver.

12As the king lay on his couch, my nard perfume gave off its fragrance.

13My love is like a pouch of myrrh, ¹³lying all night between my breasts.

14My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi. ¹⁴

15Look at how very beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle as doves.

16And you, my love, are so handsome—how charming you are! The green grass is our bed,

17with cedar trees as beams for our “house,” and pine trees for the rafters.