1 If only you were like a brother to me, like a8:1 The Heb. lacks 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. b8:1 i.e. think badly of me ISV — SongofSolomon 8:1
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. c8:2 Or some of my sweet pomegranate wine ISV — SongofSolomon 8:2
3 Let his left hand be under my head, and let his right hand embrace me. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:3
4 Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, that you won’t awaken or arouse love before its proper time! d8:3 Lit. until it pleases ISV — SongofSolomon 8:4
5 Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree e8:5 Or apricot tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:5
6 Set me like a seal f 8:6 i.e. a cylinder seal or a signet ring used to indicate ownership or authority over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion g8:6 Or jealousy as intense as Sheol. h8:6 i.e. the realm of the dead The flames of love i8:6 Lit. its flames are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the LORD. j8:6 Or an intense blaze ISV — SongofSolomon 8:6
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. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:7
8 We k8:8 i.e. the bride’s brothers have a little sister, and she has not yet reached maturity. l8:8 Lit. has no breasts What will we do for our sister to prepare her for m8:8 Lit. sister on the day when she’s spoken for her engagement? n8:8 Or marriage ISV — SongofSolomon 8:8
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. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:9
10 I was a wall and my breasts were like towers. Then I became like one who finds peace o8:10 Or contentment in his eyes. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:10
11 Solomon has a vineyard in Baal-hamon. He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers— each one is to bring 1,000 pieces of silver in exchange for its fruit. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:11
12 My vineyard belongs to me and is at my disposal. p8:12 Lit. is before me The 1,000 are for you, Solomon, and 200 are for those who take care of its fruit. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:12
13 You who sit in the gardens, companions are listening for your voice, but let me hear it. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:13
14 Come quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices. ISV — SongofSolomon 8:14