I sought the one I love; t
I sought him, but did not find him. X,u
2 I will arise now and go about the city,
through the streets and the plazas. v
I will seek the one I love.
I sought him, but did not find him.
3 The guards who go about the city found me. w
I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love? ”
when I found the one I love.
I held on to him and would not let him go
until I brought him to my mother’s house x—
to the chamber of the one who conceived me.
5 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and the wild does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until the appropriate time. Y,y
Narrator
6 Who is this z coming up from the wilderness
like columns of smoke,
scented with myrrh and frankincense a
from every fragrant powder of the merchant?
surrounded by sixty warriors
from the mighty men of Israel.
8 All of them are skilled with swords
and trained in warfare.
Each has his sword at his side b
to guard against the terror of the night. c
9 King Solomon made a carriage for himself
with wood from Lebanon.
10 He made its posts of silver,
its back Z of gold,
and its seat of purple.
Its interior is inlaid with love A
by the young women of Jerusalem. d
11 Go out, young women of Zion, e
and gaze at King Solomon,
wearing the crown his mother placed on him
on the day of his wedding f—
the day of his heart’s rejoicing.