Loss and DiscoveryWa 1On my bed at night I sought him* whom my soul loves— I sought him but I did not find him. 2“Let me rise then and go about the city,* through the streets and squares; Let me seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him but I did not find him. 3The watchmen found me, as they made their rounds in the city: “Him whom my soul loves—have you seen him?” 4b Hardly had I left them when I found him whom my soul loves.* I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of her who conceived me. 5c I adjure you, Daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the field, Do not awaken or stir up love until it is ready. Solomon’s Wedding ProcessionDd 6Who is this coming up from the desert,* like columns of smoke Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all kinds of exotic powders? 7See! it is the litter of Solomon; sixty valiant men surround it, of the valiant men of Israel: 8All of them expert with the sword, skilled in battle, Each with his sword at his side against the terrors* of the night. 9King Solomon made himself an enclosed litter of wood from Lebanon. 10He made its columns of silver, its roof of gold, Its seat of purple cloth, its interior lovingly fitted.* Daughters of Jerusalem, 11go out and look upon King Solomon In the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his marriage, on the day of the joy of his heart. Book IntroductionFootnotesScripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Bible Hub |