Song of Songs, chapter 2
Love Makes Everything Beautiful
am merely a rose from the land of Sharon,
a lily from the valley.
2My darling, when compared with other young women,
you are a lily among thorns.
3And you, my love, are an apple tree
among trees of the forest.
Your shade brought me pleasure;
your fruit was sweet.
4You led me to your banquet room
and showered me with love.
5Refresh and strengthen me with raisins and apples.
I am hungry for love!
6Put your left hand under my head
and embrace me with your right arm.
7Young women of Jerusalem,
promise me by the power of deer and gazelles
never to awaken love before it is ready.
Love Dreams
The young woman dreams of her lover coming to her window and singing of his love for her. She reaches for him as she lies in bed, but he is not there, so she goes out to the streets to search for him.
Winter Is Past
8I hear the voice of the one I love,
as he comes leaping over mountains and hills
9like a deer or a gazelle.
Now he stands outside our wall,
looking through the window 10and speaking to me.
My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
11Winter is past, the rain has stopped;
12flowers cover the earth, it's time to sing.
The cooing of doves is heard in our land.
13Fig trees are bearing fruit,
while blossoms on grapevines
fill the air with perfume.
My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
14You 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.
15Our vineyards are in blossom;
we must catch the little foxes
that destroy the vineyards.
16My darling, I am yours, and you are mine,
as you feed your sheep among the lilies.
17Pretend to be a young deer dancing on mountain slopes
until daylight comes and shadows fade away.