Songofsolomon 1 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

The most beautiful song, which belongs to Solomon.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — your love is better than wine.

The fragrance of your oils is intoxicating; your name is like perfume poured out — no wonder the young women are drawn to you.

Take me with you — let us run! The king has brought me into his chambers. We will celebrate and delight in you; we will savor your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!

I am dark and beautiful, daughters of Jerusalem — dark as the tents of Kedar, beautiful as the curtains of Solomon.

Do not stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has gazed on me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

Tell me, you whom my soul loves — where do you graze your flock? Where do you rest them at noon? Why should I be like a veiled woman wandering among the flocks of your companions?

If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and graze your young goats beside the shepherds' tents.

To a mare among Pharaoh's chariots I compare you, my darling.

Your cheeks are lovely between the earrings, your neck between the strings of jewels.

We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.

While the king reclines at his table, my perfume sends out its fragrance.

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi.

How beautiful you are, my darling — how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.

How handsome you are, my beloved — how delightful! The green grass is our bed.

The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are cypresses.