1All through the night while I lay on my bed, I longed for the one whom I love. I desired for him to come, but he did not come.

2So I said to myself,
“I will get up now and walk around the city, through the streets and plazas,
to search for the one whom I love.” So I got up and searched for him, but I could not find him.

3The city watchmen saw me while they were patrolling/walking around the city. I asked them, “Have you seen the one whom I love?”

4As soon as I walked past them, I found the one whom I love. I clung to him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother’s house,
to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).

5You women of Jerusalem, solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles are listening, that you will not disturb us while we are making love until we are ready to quit.

One of their friends speaks

6Who is it that is coming from the desert, who is stirring up dust like a column of smoke from burning myrrh and incense made from spices imported by merchants?

7It is Solomon, sitting in his portable chair surrounded by 60 bodyguards
chosen from the strongest/greatest warriors in Israel.

8They all have swords and they all ◄are trained to/know well how to► use them. Each one has his sword strapped to his side and is prepared to defend Solomon from dangers that might occur even during the night.

9King Solomon commanded his servants to make that portable chair for him; it was made with wood from Lebanon.

10The canopy that covered it was ◄held up/supported► by posts made of silver, and the back of the chair was embroidered with gold. The seat/cushion was covered with purple cloth lovingly made/woven by the women of Jerusalem.

11You women of Jerusalem, come and look at King Solomon wearing the headdress that his mother put on his head on the day when he was married, the day when he [SYN] was very happy.