Add parallel Print Page Options

Young Women of Jerusalem

13 [a]Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam.
    Come back, come back, that we may see you again.

Young Man

Why do you stare at this young woman of Shulam,
    as she moves so gracefully between two lines of dancers?[b]

[c]How beautiful are your sandaled feet,
    O queenly maiden.
Your rounded thighs are like jewels,
    the work of a skilled craftsman.
Your navel is perfectly formed
    like a goblet filled with mixed wine.
Between your thighs lies a mound of wheat
    bordered with lilies.
Your breasts are like two fawns,
    twin fawns of a gazelle.
Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower.
Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon
    by the gate of Bath-rabbim.
Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon
    overlooking Damascus.
Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel,
    and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty.
    The king is held captive by its tresses.
Oh, how beautiful you are!
    How pleasing, my love, how full of delights!

Footnotes

  1. 6:13a Verse 6:13 is numbered 7:1 in Hebrew text.
  2. 6:13b Or as you would at the movements of two armies? or as you would at the dance of Mahanaim? The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
  3. 7:1 Verses 7:1-13 are numbered 7:2-14 in Hebrew text.

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.