11 Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside,
    let us spend the night in the villages.[a]
12 Let us go early to the vineyards(A)
    to see if the vines have budded,(B)
if their blossoms(C) have opened,
    and if the pomegranates(D) are in bloom(E)
    there I will give you my love.
13 The mandrakes(F) send out their fragrance,
    and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
    that I have stored up for you, my beloved.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Songs 7:11 Or the henna bushes

The ripeness of love

[Woman]

11 Come, my love:
        Let’s go out to the field
        and rest all night among the flowering henna.
12 Let’s set out early for the vineyards.
We will see if the vines have budded
        and the blossoms opened,
    see if the pomegranates have bloomed.
There I’ll give my loving to you.

13 The mandrakes give off their scent,
        and at our doorways is every delicacy—
            fresh or ripened—
        my love, I have kept them hidden for you.

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