| New Living Translation | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover. I yearned for him, but he did not come. | 1 In my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. |
| 2So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city, searching in all its streets and squares. I will search for the one I love.” So I searched everywhere but did not find him. | 2I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas. I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him. |
| 3The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds, and I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?” | 3The guards who go about the city found me. I asked them, "Have you seen the one I love?" |
| 4Then scarcely had I left them when I found my love! I caught and held him tightly, then I brought him to my mother’s house, into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived. | 4I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held on to him and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother's house-- to the chamber of the one who conceived me. |
| 5Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. Young Women of Jerusalem | 5Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and the wild does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time. N |
| 6Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice? | 6What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? |
| 7Look, it is Solomon’s carriage, surrounded by sixty heroic men, the best of Israel’s soldiers. | 7It is Solomon's royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. |
| 8They are all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night. | 8All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. |
| 9King Solomon’s carriage is built of wood imported from Lebanon. | 9King Solomon made a sedan chair for himself with wood from Lebanon. |
| 10Its posts are silver, its canopy gold; its cushions are purple. It was decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem. Young Woman | 10He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, and its seat of purple. Its interior is inlaid with love by the young women of Jerusalem. |
| 11Come out to see King Solomon, young women of Jerusalem. He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day, his most joyous day. | 11Come out, young women of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown his mother placed on him the day of his wedding-- the day of his heart's rejoicing. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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