Study Desk

His eyes are like doves by springs of water. They seem to be bathed in cream and are set like jewels.

His cheeks are like beds of spices; they smell like mounds of perfume. His lips are like lilies flowing with myrrh.

His hands are like gold hinges, filled with jewels. His body is like shiny ivory covered with sapphires.

His legs are like large marble posts, standing on bases of fine gold. He is like a cedar of Lebanon, like the finest of the trees.

His mouth is sweet to kiss, and I desire him very much. Yes, daughters of Jerusalem, this is my lover and my friend.

My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies.

My lover's left hand is under my head, and his right arm holds me tight.

Even much water cannot put out the flame of love; floods cannot drown love. If a man offered everything in his house for love, people would totally reject it.

Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord , to the Temple of the God of Jacob. Then God will teach us his ways, and we will obey his teachings." His teachings will go out from Jerusalem; the message of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem.

Go into the caves of the cliffs; dig holes and hide in the ground from the anger of the Lord and from his great power!

People will run to caves in the rocky cliffs and will dig holes and hide in the ground from the anger of the Lord and his great power, when he stands to shake the earth.

Then the people will hide in caves and cracks in the rocks from the anger of the Lord and his great power, when he stands to shake the earth.

People will be against each other; everyone will be against his neighbor. Young people will not respect older people, and common people will not respect important people."

At that time a man will grab one of his brothers from his own family and say, "You have a coat, so you will be our leader. These ruins will be under your control."

The Lord takes his place in court and stands to judge the people.

The Lord presents his case against the elders and other leaders of his people: "You have burned the vineyard. Your houses are full of what you took from the poor.

Now I will sing for my friend a song about his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a hill with very rich soil.

At their parties they have lyres, harps, tambourines, flutes, and wine. They don't see what the Lord has done or notice the work of his hands.

They say, "Let God hurry; let him do his work soon so we may see it. Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel happen soon so that we will know what it is."

So the Lord has become very angry with his people, and he has raised his hand to punish them. Even the mountains are frightened. Dead bodies lie in the streets like garbage. But the Lord is still angry; his hand is still raised to strike down the people.