1 “ I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my perfume with my spice. I have eaten my honey and the comb. I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat and drink, friends. Drink much, O lovers.” The Fourth Song The Woman
I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. (To His Friends) Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones! The Shulamite’s Troubled Evening The Shulamite
2 “ I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My love was knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one! For my head is wet from the water on the grass in the early morning. My hair is wet from the night.’
I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one; For my head is covered with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.”
3 I have taken off my dress. How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them dirty again?
I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?
4 M y love put his hand through the opening, and joy filled my heart.
My beloved put his hand By the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him.
5 I got up to let my love in, and perfume fell from my hands. Wet perfume fell from my fingers onto the lock.
I arose to open for my beloved, And my hands dripped with myrrh, My fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock.
6 I opened the door to my love, but he had already gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I looked for him, but did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer me.
I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7 T he watchmen of the city found me. They beat me and hurt me. The watchmen of the walls took my coat from me.
The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me.
8 I tell you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my loved one, you must tell him that I am weak with love.” Women of Jerusalem
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick! The Daughters of Jerusalem
9 “ What is your loved one more than another loved one, O most beautiful among women? What is your loved one more than another loved one, that you tell us to do this?” The Woman
What is your beloved More than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved More than another beloved, That you so charge us? The Shulamite
10 “ My loved one is bright and red, the best among 10, 000.
My beloved is white and ruddy, Chief among ten thousand.
11 H is head is like gold, pure gold. His hair has waves and is black as a raven.
His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, And black as a raven.
12 H is eyes are like doves beside rivers of water, washed in milk, and resting in their places.
His eyes are like doves By the rivers of waters, Washed with milk, And fitly set.
13 H is cheeks are like beds of spices, with sweet-smelling plants. His lips are like lily flowers giving off drops of perfume.
His cheeks are like a bed of spices, Banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, Dripping liquid myrrh.
14 H is hands are strong pieces of gold set with stones of much worth. His body is made of ivory set with stones of much worth.
His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl. His body is carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires.
15 H is legs are pillars of clay put on bases of pure gold. He looks like Lebanon, as beautiful as the cedar trees.
His legs are pillars of marble Set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, Excellent as the cedars.
16 H is mouth is very sweet, everything about him is pleasing. This is my loved one and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!