Song of Songs 2

Young Woman ¹ I am the spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain, Traditionally rendered I am the rose of Sharon. Sharon Plain is a region in the coastal plain of Palestine. 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.

⁷Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. Or not to awaken love until it is ready.

⁸Ah, 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.

¹⁰My 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 birds Or the season of pruning vines. 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. Or on the hills of Bether.