1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my balsam and spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly of love, O precious one.

I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved. Beloved

2 I went to sleep, but my heart stayed awake. the voice of my beloved as he knocked. Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my spotless one, for I am wet with the night dew; my hair is covered with it.

I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

3 I had put off my garment— how could I put it on? I had washed my feet—how could I soil them?

I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?

4 M y beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved for him.

My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

5 I rose up to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with liquid myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.

I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

6 I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and withdrawn himself, and was gone! My soul went forth when he spoke, but it failed me! I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left; and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.

7 T he watchmen who go about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil and my mantle from me.

The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am sick from love.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love. Friends

9 W hat is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women ? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you should give us such a charge?

How is your beloved better than another beloved, you fairest among women? How is your beloved better than another beloved, that you do so adjure us? Beloved

10 M y beloved is fair and ruddy, the chief among ten thousand!

My beloved is white and ruddy. The best among ten thousand.

11 H is head is the finest gold; his locks are curly and bushy and black as a raven.

His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.

12 H is eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, bathed in milk and fitly set.

His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, washed with milk, mounted like jewels.

13 H is cheeks are like a bed of spices or balsam, like banks of sweet herbs yielding fragrance. His lips are like bloodred anemones or lilies distilling liquid myrrh.

His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.

14 H is hands are like rods of gold set with beryl or topaz. His body is a figure of bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

His hands are like rings of gold set with beryl. His body is like ivory work overlaid with sapphires.

15 H is legs are like strong and steady pillars of marble set upon bases of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent, stately, and majestic as the cedars.

His legs are like pillars of marble set on sockets of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16 H is voice and speech are exceedingly sweet; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

His mouth is sweetness; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.