Song of Solomon 8:1-9 ▼

1 “Oh, that you were like a brother to me, Who nursed at the breasts of my mother. If I found you out of doors, I would kiss you; No one would blame me or despise me, either.

2 “I would lead you and 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 “Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”

4 “I command you to take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, That you do not rouse nor awaken my love Until she pleases.”

5 “Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning upon her beloved?” “Under the apple tree I awakened you [to my love]; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth.

6 “Put me like a seal on your heart, Like a seal on your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, [A most vehement flame] the very flame of the LORD!

7 “Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can rivers drown it. If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly scorned and despised.”

8 “We have a little sister And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for [in marriage]?

9 “If she is a wall (discreet, womanly), We will build on her a turret (dowry) of silver; But if she is a door (bold, flirtatious), We will enclose her with planks of cedar.”