Song of Solomon 1:1-11

The Song of Songs [the best of songs], which is Solomon’s. [1 Kin 4:32] ¶“May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!” [Solomon arrives, she turns to him, saying,] “For your love is better than wine. “The aroma of your oils is fragrant and pleasing; Your name is perfume poured out; Therefore the maidens love you. “Draw me away with you and let us run together! Let the king bring me into his chambers.” “ W e will rejoice and be glad in you; We will remember and extol your love more [sweet and fragrant] than wine. Rightly do they love you.” ¶“I am deeply tanned but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, [I am dark] like the tents of [the Bedouins of] Kedar, Like the [beautiful] curtains of Solomon. “Do not gaze at me because I am deeply tanned, [I have worked in] the sun; it has left its mark on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard (my complexion) I have not kept.” “Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who is veiled Beside the flocks of your companions?” [Ps 23:1, 2] ¶“If you do not know [where your lover is], O you fairest among women, Run along, follow the tracks of the flock, And pasture your young goats By the tents of the shepherds. ¶“To me, my love, you are like My [favorite] mare among the chariots of Pharaoh. “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with strings of jewels.” ¶“We will make for you chains and ornaments of gold, [Studded] with beads of silver.”