Song of Songs 8
(1) Female:
“You’ve treated me as if you were an older brother who helped raise me. If I ever saw you out in public, I’d kiss you, and no one would look down on me for it. Then I’d lead you to the house of my parents who raised me and bring you inside. Then I’d give you spiced wine to drink made from my pomegranates. Then you can slide your left hand behind my head while you embrace me with your right.”
(4) Male
“Jerusalem’s women, I want you to swear that you won’t stir up love until it pleases.”
(5) Jerusalem’s Women:
“Who’s that coming up from the wilderness leaning on her lover?”
(5b) Female:
“I woke you up under the apricot tree where your mom was in labor with you and gave birth to you. Put me over your heart like a badge, and on your arm like a seal. After all, love is as fierce as death, and sexual passion is as intense as the grave. Its flashes are like flames of fire—the Existing One’s fire. Love’s fire can’t be quenched by massive amounts of water or washed away by rivers. If a man were to bring all of his family’s wealth to exchange for love, it would just be despised.”
(8) Jerusalem’s Women
“We have a little sister who still hasn’t gone through puberty. What should we do for her on the day she’s spoken for? If she’s as solid as a wall with her sexuality, then we’ll build a silver fort on her—but if she’s like an open door, then we’ll barricade her with cedar beams.”
(10) Female
“I was like a wall even though my boobs are like mounds. That’s why my lover viewed me as someone who is solid and secure.
“Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon that he entrusted to some caretakers, and people had to pay 25 pounds of silver for its fruit. Yet here I have my very own vineyard at my disposal. You can keep the 25 pounds of silver, Solomon. And the people who tend to its fruit can keep their 10% fee.”
(13) Male
“I see you sitting there in the gardens, and my friends are listening for your voice—let me hear it!”
(14) Female
“Hurry up, my love! Come and be like a young buck on this mountain of spices.”
