He

I liken you, my darling, to a mare
    among Pharaoh’s chariot horses.(A)
10 Your cheeks(B) are beautiful with earrings,
    your neck with strings of jewels.(C)
11 We will make you earrings of gold,
    studded with silver.

She

12 While the king was at his table,
    my perfume spread its fragrance.(D)
13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh(E)
    resting between my breasts.
14 My beloved(F) is to me a cluster of henna(G) blossoms
    from the vineyards of En Gedi.(H)

Read full chapter

Man’s Poetic Praise of His Beloved

To a mare[a] among the chariots[b] of Pharaoh,
    I compare you, my beloved.
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments,
    your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make ornaments of gold for you
    with studs[c] of silver.

Maiden’s Poetic Praise of Her Beloved

12 While the king was on his couch,
    my nard gave its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a pouch[d] of myrrh,
    he spends the night[e] between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of blossoms of henna
    in the vineyards of En Gedi.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 1:9 Or “my mare”
  2. Song of Solomon 1:9 Or “chariot horses”
  3. Song of Solomon 1:11 Or “droplets”
  4. Song of Solomon 1:13 Literally “the bag”
  5. Song of Solomon 1:13 Or “he lays”