Study Desk

But it is very good for a country if the king comes from a good family. And it is very good for a country if the rulers control their eating and drinking. They eat and drink to become strong, not to become drunk.

But there are some things that you cannot be sure of. You must take a chance. If you wait for perfect weather, you will never plant your seeds. If you are afraid that every cloud will bring rain, you will never harvest your crops.

So young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young. Be happy. Do whatever your heart leads you to do. Do whatever you want, but remember that God will judge you for everything you do.

Now, what should we learn from everything that is written in this book? The most important thing a person can do is to respect God and obey his commands, because he knows about everything people do—even the secret things. He knows about all the good and all the bad, and he will judge people for everything they do.

Cover me with kisses, for your love is better than wine.

Take me with you. Let's run away. The king took me into his room. We will rejoice and be happy for you. Remember, your love is better than wine. With good reason, the young women love you.

I love you with all my soul! Tell me, where do you feed your sheep? Where do you lay them down at noon? I should come to be with you or I will be like a hired woman caring for the sheep of your friends.

Catch the foxes for us— the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. Our vineyard is now in bloom.

At night on my bed, I look for the man I love. I looked for him, but I could not find him.

I will get up now! I will go around the city. In the streets and squares, I will look for the man I love. I looked for him, but I could not find him.

All of them are trained fighting men with their swords at their side, ready for any danger of the night.

King Solomon made a traveling chair for himself. The wood came from Lebanon.

But my lover put his hand through the opening, and I felt sorry for him.

I got up to open for my lover, myrrh dripping from my hands, myrrh scented lotion dripped from my fingers onto the handles of the lock.

I opened for my lover, but my lover had turned away and was gone! I nearly died when he came and went. I looked for him, but I couldn't find him. I called for him, but he didn't answer me.

His cheeks are like a garden of spices, like flowers used for perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh.

Beautiful woman, where has your lover gone? Which way did your lover go? Tell us so that we can help you look for him.

but there is only one woman for me, my dove, my perfect one. She is the favorite of her mother, her mother's favorite child. The young women see her and praise her. Even the queens and slave women praise her.

Smell the mandrakes and all the pleasant flowers by our door. I have saved many pleasant things for you, my lover, pleasant things, new and old.

A flood cannot put out love. Rivers cannot drown love. Would people despise a man for giving everything he owns for love?