Song of Solomon 2

Chapter 2

Young Woman

1 I am the spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain,t
the lily of the valley.

Young Man

2 Like a lily among thistles
is my darling among young women.

Young Woman

3 Like the finest apple tree in the orchard
is my lover among other young men.
I sit in his delightful shade
and taste his delicious fruit.4 He escorts me to the banquet hall;
it’s obvious how much he loves me.5 Strengthen me with raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples,
for I am weak with love.6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me.7 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles and wild deer,
not to awaken love until the time is right.t8 Ah, I hear my lover coming!
He is leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.9 My lover is like a swift gazelle
or a young stag.
Look, there he is behind the wall,
looking through the window,
peering into the room.10 My lover said to me,
“Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!11 Look, the winter is past,
and the rains are over and gone.12 The flowers are springing up,
the season of singing birdst has come,
and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.13 The fig trees are forming young fruit,
and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.
Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!”

Young Man

14 My dove is hiding behind the rocks,
behind an outcrop on the cliff.
Let me see your face;
let me hear your voice.
For your voice is pleasant,
and your face is lovely.

Young Women of Jerusalem

15 Catch all the foxes,
those little foxes,
before they ruin the vineyard of love,
for the grapevines are blossoming!

Young Woman

16 My lover is mine, and I am his.
He browses among the lilies.17 Before the dawn breezes blow
and the night shadows flee,
return to me, my love, like a gazelle
or a young stag on the rugged mountains.t

SONG OF SONGS 2

Love Makes //Everything Beautiful

She Speaks:

1 I am merely a roset
from the land of Sharon,
a lily from the valley.

He Speaks:

2 My darling, when compared
with other young women,
you are a lily among thorns.

She Speaks:

3 And you, my love,
are an apple tree
among trees of the forest.
Your shade brought me pleasure;
your fruit was sweet.

4 You led me to your banquet room
and showered me with love.

5 Refresh and strengthen me
with raisins and apples.
I am hungry for love!

6 Put your left hand under my head
and embrace me
with your right arm.

7 Young women of Jerusalem,
promise me by the power
of deer and gazellest
never to awaken love
before it is ready.

Winter Is Past

She Speaks:

8 I hear the voice
of the one I love,
as he comes leaping
over mountains and hills

9 like a deer or a gazelle.
Now he stands outside our wall,
looking through the window

10 and speaking to me.

He Speaks:

11 Winter is past,
the rain has stopped;

12 flowers cover the earth,
it's time to sing.t
The cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

13 Fig trees are bearing fruit,
while blossoms on grapevines
fill the air with perfume.
My darling, I love you!
Let's go away together.

14 You are my dove
hiding among the rocks
on the side of a cliff.
Let me see how lovely you are!
Let me hear the sound
of your melodious voice.

15 Our vineyards are in blossom;
we must catch the little foxes
that destroy the vineyards.t

She Speaks:

16 My darling, I am yours,
and you are mine,
as you feed your sheep
among the lilies.

17 Pretend to be a young deer
dancing on mountain slopest
until daylight comes
and shadows fade away.