The Lovers Speak
1
“Oh that you were like a brother to me
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you;
No one would despise me, either.
2 Who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you;
No one would despise me, either.
“I would lead you and (A)bring you
Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me;
I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.
3
Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me;
I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.
5
6
7
“Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor will rivers overflow it;
(H)If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love,
It would be utterly despised.”
Nor will rivers overflow it;
(H)If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love,
It would be utterly despised.”
8
9
“If she is a wall,
We will build on her a battlement of silver;
But if she is a door,
We will barricade her with (J)planks of cedar.”
We will build on her a battlement of silver;
But if she is a door,
We will barricade her with (J)planks of cedar.”
10
11
12
“My very own vineyard is (l)at my disposal;
The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
Footnotes:
a.
Song of Solomon 8:4: ['BRIDEGROOM']
b.
Song of Solomon 8:4: ['Or ', Why should you arouse]
c.
Song of Solomon 8:4: ['Or ', it]
d.
Song of Solomon 8:5: ['CHORUS']
e.
Song of Solomon 8:5: ['BRIDE']
f.
Song of Solomon 8:5: ['Or ', apricot]
g.
Song of Solomon 8:6: ['Or ', signet]
h.
Song of Solomon 8:6: ['Or Its ', ardor is as inflexible]
i.
Song of Solomon 8:6: ['Another reading is ', A vehement flame]
j.
Song of Solomon 8:8: ['CHORUS']
k.
Song of Solomon 8:10: ['BRIDE']
l.
Song of Solomon 8:12: ['Lit ', before me]
m.
Song of Solomon 8:13: ['BRIDEGROOM']
n.
Song of Solomon 8:14: ['BRIDE']
o.
Song of Solomon 8:14: ['Lit ', Flee]
p.
Song of Solomon 8:14: ['Lit ', of the stags]