Song Of Songs 8
NIV — New International Version Bible (NIV)
AMP — Amplified Bible (AMP)
Verse 1
If only you were to me like a brother,
who was nursed at my mother’s breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
who was nursed at my mother’s breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
“Oh, that you were like a brother to me,
Who nursed at the breasts of my mother.
If I found you out of doors, I would kiss you;
No one would blame me or despise me, either.
Who nursed at the breasts of my mother.
If I found you out of doors, I would kiss you;
No one would blame me or despise me, either.
Verse 2
I would lead you
and bring you to my mother’s house—
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates.
and bring you to my mother’s house—
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates.
“I would lead you and bring you
Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me;
I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.
Verse 3
His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
and his right arm embraces me.
“Let his left hand be under my head
And his right hand embrace me.”
(The Bridegroom)
Verse 4
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Friends
“I command you to take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem,
That you do not rouse nor awaken my love
Until she pleases.”
(The Chorus)
Verse 5
Who is this coming up from the wilderness
leaning on her beloved?
leaning on her beloved?
She
Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother conceived you,
there she who was in labor gave you birth.
“Who is this coming up from the wilderness
Leaning upon her beloved?”
(The Shulammite Bride)
“Under the apple tree I awakened you [to my love];
There your mother was in labor with you,
There she was in labor and gave you birth.
Verse 6
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.[b]
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.[b]
“Put me like a seal on your heart,
Like a seal on your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead).
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
[A most vehement flame] the very flame of the [a]Lord!
Verse 7
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it[c] would be utterly scorned.
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it[c] would be utterly scorned.
Friends
“Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can rivers drown it.
If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love,
It would be utterly scorned and despised.”
(The Chorus)
Verse 8
We have a little sister,
and her breasts are not yet grown.
What shall we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?
and her breasts are not yet grown.
What shall we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?
“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 [in marriage]?
Verse 9
If she is a wall,
we will build towers of silver on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
we will build towers of silver on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
She
“If she is a wall (discreet, womanly),
We will build on her a turret (dowry) of silver;
But if she is a door (bold, flirtatious),
We will enclose her with planks of cedar.”
(The Shulammite Bride)
Verse 10
I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment.
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment.
“I was a wall, and my breasts were like the towers.
Then I became in the king’s eyes
As one [to be respected and allowed] to find peace.
Verse 11
Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels[d] of silver.
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels[d] of silver.
“Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;
He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers;
Each one was to bring him a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
Verse 12
But my own vineyard is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and two hundred[e] are for those who tend its fruit.
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and two hundred[e] are for those who tend its fruit.
He
“My very own vineyard is at my disposal;
The thousand [shekels of silver] are for you, O Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who tend the fruit.”
(The Bridegroom)
Verse 13
You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!
She
“O you who sit in the gardens,
My companions are listening for your voice—
Let me hear it.”
(The Shulammite Bride)
Verse 14
Come away, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the spice-laden mountains.
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the spice-laden mountains.
“Hurry, my beloved and come quickly,
Like a gazelle or a young stag [taking me home]
On the mountains of spices.”