Song 8 | NIrV | STEP | “I wish you were like a brother to me. I wish my mother’s breasts had nursed you. Then if I found you outside, I could kiss you. No one would look down on me.

‏ Song of Solomon 8

1 “I wish you were like a brother to me.
I wish my mother’s breasts had nursed you.
Then if I found you outside,
I could kiss you.
No one would look down on me.
2 I’d bring you to my mother’s house.
She taught me everything I know.
I’d give you spiced wine to drink.
It’s the juice of my pomegranates.
3 Your left arm is under my head.
Your right arm is around me.
4 Women of Jerusalem, make me a promise.
Don’t stir up love.
Don’t wake it up until it’s ready.”
The other women say

5 “Who is this woman coming up from the desert?
She’s leaning on the one who loves her.”
The woman says to the king

“Under the apple tree I woke you up.
That’s where your mother became pregnant with you.
She went into labor, and you were born there.
6 Hold me close to your heart where your royal seal is worn.
Keep me as close to yourself as the bracelet on your arm.
My love for you is so strong it won’t let you go.
Love is as powerful as death.
Love’s jealousy is as strong as the grave.
Love is like a blazing fire.
Love burns like a mighty flame.
7 No amount of water can put it out.
Rivers can’t sweep it away.
Suppose someone offers
all their wealth to buy love.
That won’t even come close to being enough.”
The woman’s brothers say

8 “We have a little sister.
Her breasts are still small.
What should we do for our sister
when she gets engaged?
9 If she were a wall,
we’d build silver towers on her.
If she were a door,
we’d cover her with cedar boards.”
The woman says to the king

10 “I am a wall.
My breasts are like well-built towers.
So in your eyes I’ve become
like someone who makes you happy.
11 Solomon, you had a vineyard in Baal Hamon.
You rented your vineyard to others.
They had to pay 25 pounds
of silver for its fruit.
12 But I can give my own vineyard to anyone I want to.
So I give my 25 pounds of silver to you, Solomon.
Give 5 pounds to those who take care of its fruit.”
The king says

13 “My love, you live in the gardens.
My friends listen for your voice.
But let me hear it now.”
The woman says

14 “Come away with me, my love.
Be like an antelope
or like a young deer
on mountains that are full of spices.”