1
Oh that you were like a brother to me who nursed at my mother's breasts! If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and none would despise me.
2
I would lead you and 1bring you into the house of my mother-- she who used to teach me. I would give you 2spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranate.
3
3His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!
4
I 4adjure you, O 5daughters of Jerusalem, 6that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
5
7Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother was in labor with you; there she who bore you was in labor.
6
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as 8a seal upon your arm, for 9love is strong as death, 10jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very 11flame of the LORD.
7
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his 12house, he would be utterly despised.