8:1 If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.
8:2 I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house - she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.
8:3 His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.
8:4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
8:5 [Friends] Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved? [She] Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.
8:6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy* unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.** / *Or ardor / **Or fire, like the very flame of the Lord
8:7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it* would be utterly scorned. / *Or he
8:8 [Friends] We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?
8:9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
8:10 [She] I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
8:11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels* of silver. / *That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms; also in verse 12
8:12 But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred* are for those who tend its fruit. / *That is, about 5 pounds or about 2.3 kilograms
8:13 [He] You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
8:14 [She] Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.