Song Of Songs 8
NIV — New International Version Bible (NIV)
NIRV — New International Reader's Version Bible (NIRV)
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.
“I wish you were like a brother to me.
I wish my mother’s breasts had nursed you.
Then if I found you outside,
I could kiss you.
No one would look down on me.
I wish my mother’s breasts had nursed you.
Then if I found you outside,
I could kiss you.
No one would look down on me.
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’d bring you to my mother’s house.
She taught me everything I know.
I’d give you spiced wine to drink.
It’s the juice of my pomegranates.
She taught me everything I know.
I’d give you spiced wine to drink.
It’s 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.
Your left arm is under my head.
Your right arm is around me.
Your right arm is around me.
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
Women of Jerusalem, make me a promise.
Don’t stir up love.
Don’t wake it up until it’s ready.”
Don’t stir up love.
Don’t wake it up until it’s ready.”
The other women say
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 woman coming up from the desert?
She’s leaning on the one who loves her.”
She’s leaning on the one who loves her.”
The woman says to the king
“Under the apple tree I woke you up.
That’s where your mother became pregnant with you.
She went into labor, and you were born there.
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]
Hold me close to your heart where your royal seal is worn.
Keep me as close to yourself as the bracelet on your arm.
My love for you is so strong it won’t let you go.
Love is as powerful as death.
Love’s jealousy is as strong as the grave.
Love is like a blazing fire.
Love burns like a mighty flame.
Keep me as close to yourself as the bracelet on your arm.
My love for you is so strong it won’t let you go.
Love is as powerful as death.
Love’s jealousy is as strong as the grave.
Love is like a blazing fire.
Love burns like a mighty flame.
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
No amount of water can put it out.
Rivers can’t sweep it away.
Suppose someone offers
all their wealth to buy love.
That won’t even come close to being enough.”
Rivers can’t sweep it away.
Suppose someone offers
all their wealth to buy love.
That won’t even come close to being enough.”
The woman’s brothers say
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.
Her breasts are still small.
What should we do for our sister
when she gets engaged?
Her breasts are still small.
What should we do for our sister
when she gets engaged?
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 were a wall,
we’d build silver towers on her.
If she were a door,
we’d cover her with cedar boards.”
we’d build silver towers on her.
If she were a door,
we’d cover her with cedar boards.”
The woman says to the king
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 am a wall.
My breasts are like well-built towers.
So in your eyes I’ve become
like someone who makes you happy.
My breasts are like well-built towers.
So in your eyes I’ve become
like someone who makes you happy.
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, you had a vineyard in Baal Hamon.
You rented your vineyard to others.
They had to pay 25 pounds
of silver for its fruit.
You rented your vineyard to others.
They had to pay 25 pounds
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
But I can give my own vineyard to anyone I want to.
So I give my 25 pounds of silver to you, Solomon.
Give 5 pounds to those who take care of its fruit.”
So I give my 25 pounds of silver to you, Solomon.
Give 5 pounds to those who take care of its fruit.”
The king says
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
“My love, you live in the gardens.
My friends listen for your voice.
But let me hear it now.”
My friends listen for your voice.
But let me hear it now.”
The woman says
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.
“Come away with me, my love.
Be like an antelope
or like a young deer
on mountains that are full of spices.”
Be like an antelope
or like a young deer
on mountains that are full of spices.”