Song of Solomon 8:1-9 ▼

1 If only you were like a brother to me, like one who nursed at my mother's breasts. If I found you outside I would kiss you, and no one would view me with contempt.

2 I would lead you, I would bring you to the house of my mother who used to teach me. I would give you some spiced wine to drink, from the juice of my pomegranates.

3 Let his left hand be under my head, and let his right hand embrace me.

4 Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time!

5 Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you.

6 Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the LORD.

7 Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot put it out. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, he would surely be viewed with contempt.

8 We have a little sister, and she has not yet reached maturity. What will we do for our sister to prepare her for her engagement?

9 If she's a wall, on her we will build a battlement of silver. If she's a door, we will enclose her with planks of cedar.