Study Desk

Friends

Who is this coming up from the wilderness^(d) leaning on her beloved?

She

Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived^(e) you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love^(f) is as strong as death, its jealousy^[a](g) unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.^[b]

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.^(h)

Friends

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?

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.

She

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.

Solomon had a vineyard⁽ⁱ⁾ in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels^[d](j) of silver.

But my own vineyard^(k) is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred^[e] are for those who tend its fruit.

He

You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

She

Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle^(l) or like a young stag^(m) on the spice-laden mountains.⁽ⁿ⁾