Songofsolomon 8 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

If only you were like a brother to me, one who nursed at my mother's breast — then if I found you outside, I could kiss you, and no one would look down on me.

I would lead you, bring you into my mother's house — she who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

His left arm beneath my head, his right arm holding me close.

I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem — do not stir, do not awaken love until it desires to rise on its own.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Beneath the apple tree I roused you — there your mother labored with you, there she who bore you was in labor.

Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal on your arm — for love is as fierce as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. Its flames are flames of fire, a blazing flame of Yah.

Mighty waters cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man offered all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly despised.

We have a young sister whose breasts have not yet grown. What will we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?

If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. So in his eyes I have become one who brings peace.

Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon. He entrusted the vineyard to keepers; each would bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.

My vineyard — my own — is mine to give. The thousand is yours, Solomon, and two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

You who sit in the gardens, our companions are listening — let me hear your voice.

Run to me, my love! Be like a gazelle, like a young stag on the mountains of spices.