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13 [a]Return, return, O Shulammite!
    Return, return, that we may look upon you.

Why should you look upon the Shulammite,
    as upon a dance before two armies?[b](A)

Expressions of Praise

How graceful are your feet in sandals,
    O queenly maiden!
Your rounded thighs are like jewels,
    the work of a master hand.(B)
Your navel is a rounded bowl;
    may it never lack mixed wine.
Your belly is a heap of wheat,
    encircled with lilies.
Your two breasts are like two fawns,
    twins of a gazelle.(C)
Your neck is like an ivory tower.
Your eyes are pools in Heshbon,
    by the gate of Bath-rabbim.
Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,
    overlooking Damascus.(D)
Your head crowns you like Carmel,
    and your flowing locks are like purple;
    a king is held captive in the tresses.(E)

How fair and pleasant you are,
    O loved one, delectable maiden![c](F)

Footnotes

  1. 6.13 7.1 in Heb
  2. 6.13 Or dance of Mahanaim
  3. 7.6 Syr: Heb in delights

Young Women

13 Come back, come back, Shulammite![a]
Come back, come back, that we may look at you!

Man

How you gaze at the Shulammite,
as you look at the dance(A) of the two camps![b](B)

How beautiful are your sandaled feet, princess![c](C)
The curves of your thighs are like jewelry,
the handiwork of a master.
Your navel is a rounded bowl;
it never lacks mixed wine.
Your belly is a mound of wheat
surrounded by lilies.
Your breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.(D)
Your neck is like a tower of ivory,(E)
your eyes like pools in Heshbon
by Bath-rabbim’s gate.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
looking toward Damascus.
Your head crowns you[d] like Mount Carmel,
the hair of your head like purple cloth—
a king could be held captive(F) in your tresses.
How beautiful you are and how pleasant,(G)
my love, with such delights!

Footnotes

  1. 6:13 Or the perfect one, or the peaceable one
  2. 6:13 Or dance of Mahanaim
  3. 7:1 Lit daughter of a nobleman, or prince
  4. 7:5 Lit head upon you is

Friends

13 Come back, come back, O Shulammite;
    come back, come back, that we may gaze on you!

He

Why would you gaze on the Shulammite
    as on the dance(A) of Mahanaim?[a]

[b]How beautiful your sandaled feet,
    O prince’s(B) daughter!
Your graceful legs are like jewels,
    the work of an artist’s hands.
Your navel is a rounded goblet
    that never lacks blended wine.
Your waist is a mound of wheat
    encircled by lilies.
Your breasts(C) are like two fawns,
    like twin fawns of a gazelle.
Your neck is like an ivory tower.(D)
Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon(E)
    by the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon(F)
    looking toward Damascus.
Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel.(G)
    Your hair is like royal tapestry;
    the king is held captive by its tresses.
How beautiful(H) you are and how pleasing,
    my love, with your delights!(I)

Footnotes

  1. Song of Songs 6:13 In Hebrew texts this verse (6:13) is numbered 7:1.
  2. Song of Songs 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-13 is numbered 7:2-14.