Chapter Text
8:1 “Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outside, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either.
8:2 I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to teach me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the sweet wine of my pomegranates.
8:3 Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”
8:4 “I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, Why should you arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases?”
8:5 “Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved?” “Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you; There she was in labor and gave you birth.
8:6 Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of Yah.
8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.”
8:8 “We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?
8:9 If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; But if she is a door, We will barricade her with planks of cedar.”
8:10 “I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.
8:11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal‑hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
8:12 My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
8:13 “O you who sit in the gardens, My companions are giving heed to your voice— Let me hear it!”
8:14 “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of spices.”