1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

2 Shulamite: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.

3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth; therefore the virgins love you.

4 Draw me away! Daughters of Jerusalem: We will run after you. Shulamite: The king has brought me into his chambers. Daughters of Jerusalem: We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Shulamite: Rightly do they love you.

5 I am black, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.

6 Do not look upon me, because I am black, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

7 To Her Beloved: Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions?

8 The Beloved: If you do not know, O most beautiful among women, follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your young goats beside the tents of the shepherds.

9 I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.

10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.

11 Daughters of Jerusalem: We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.

12 Shulamite: While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.

13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, who lies between my breasts.

14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi.

15 The Beloved: Behold, you are beautiful, my love! Behold, you are beautiful; with dove’s eyes!

16 Shulamite: Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green.

17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.