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The Song of Solomon

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 8 -

1
The young woman speaking to her lover-I wish that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother’s breasts. Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me.
2
I would lead you and bring you into my mother’s house, and you would teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink and some of the juice of my pomegranates. The young woman speaking to herself-
3
His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me. The woman speaking to the other women-
4
I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem’s men, that you will not interrupt our lovemaking until it is over. The women of Jerusalem speaking-
5
Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? The young woman speaking to her lover-I awakened you under the apricot tree; there your mother conceived you; there she gave birth to you, she delivered you.

If only we could be undisturbed!

6
Set me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, a flame hotter than any other fire.
7
Surging waters cannot quench love, nor can floods sweep it away. If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, the offer would utterly be despised. The young woman’s brothers speaking among themselves-

Easy to conquer?

8
We have a little sister, and her breasts have not yet grown. What can we do for our sister on the day when she will be promised in marriage?
9
If she is a wall, we will build on her a tower of silver. If she is a door, we will adorn her with boards of cedar. The young woman speaking to herself-
10
I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; so I am completely mature in his eyes.

Richer than Solomon

11
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased the vineyard to those who would maintain it. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
12
My vineyard is my very own; the thousand shekels belong to you, my dear Solomon, and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain it for its fruit. The woman’s lover speaking to her-

Call only me

13
You who live in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me be the one to hear it as well. The young woman speaking to her lover-
14
Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
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1
Oh that you were like my brother, who nursed from the breasts of my mother! If I found you outside, I would kiss you; yes, and no one would despise me.
2
I would lead you, bringing you into the house of my mother, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.
3
His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.
4
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.
5
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?

If only we could be undisturbed!

6
(5) Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you. (6) 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.(a) Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of the LORD.(b)
7
Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

Easy to conquer?

8
We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for?
9
If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
10
I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I was in his eyes like one who found peace.

Richer than Solomon

11
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels (c) of silver for its fruit.
12
My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon, two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

Call only me

13
You who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
14
Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices!

Footnotes

(a)8:6 Sheol is the place of the dead.
(b)8:6 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name
(c)8:11 A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 1000 shekels is about 10 kilograms or about 22 pounds.
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