1“[†]I am the [†]rose of Sharon,

The lily of the valleys.”

2“[†]Like a lily among the thorns,

So is my darling among the daughters.”

3“[†]Like an [†]apple tree among the trees of the forest,

So is my beloved among the sons.

In his shade I had great desire and sat down,

And his fruit was sweet to my [†]taste.

4He has brought me to his [†]house of banqueting,

And his banner over me is love.

5Sustain me with raisin cakes,

Refresh me with [†]apples,

Because I am lovesick.

6Let his left hand be under my head

And his right hand embrace me.”

7“[†]I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field,

That you do not arouse or awaken my love

Until [†]she pleases.”

The Bride Delights in Her Beloved

8“[†]The voice of my beloved!

Behold, he is coming,

Leaping on the mountains,

Jumping on the hills!

9My beloved is like a gazelle or a young [†]stag.

Behold, he is standing behind our wall;

He gazes through the windows;

He is peering through the lattice.

10“My beloved answered and said to me,

‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along.

11For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over; it is gone.

12The flowers have appeared in the land;

The time for [†]pruning has arrived;

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

13The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along!’”

14“[†]O my dove, in the clefts of the [†]rock,

In the secret place of the steep [†]pathway,

Let me see your appearance,

Let me hear your voice;

For your voice is sweet,

And your appearance is lovely.”

15“[†]Seize the foxes for us,

The [†]little foxes that are wreaking destruction on the vineyards,

While our vineyards are in blossom.”

16“[†]My beloved is mine, and I am his,

He who shepherds his flock among the lilies.

17Until the day breathes and the shadows flee,

Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle

Or a young stag on the mountains of [†]Bether.”