1If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no-one would despise me.2I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house – she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.3His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.4Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Friends5Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved? She Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labour gave you birth.6Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy[1] unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.[2]7Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it[3] would be utterly scorned. Friends8We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?9If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar. She10I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.11Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels[4] of silver.12But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred[5] are for those who tend its fruit. He13You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice! She14Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.