1I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink deeply, my dear ones.
2I was asleep, but my heart was awake. I heard the voice of my beloved knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, and my hair is damp from the night.”
3I have taken off my robe. Should I put it on again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them dirty again?
4My beloved reached his hand through the latch opening. My heart stirred for him.
5I got up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
6I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned and left. My heart sank when he spoke. I looked for him, but I couldn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.
7The watchmen patrolling the city found me. They beat me and bruised me. The guards of the walls took away my cloak.
8I beg you, daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, tell him that I am sick with love.
9How is your beloved better than any other, you most beautiful among women? How is your beloved better than any other, that you ask us this way?
10My beloved is fair and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.
11His head is like the finest gold. His hair is thick and black like a raven.
12His eyes are like doves by streams of water, washed with milk, perfectly set.
13His cheeks are like beds of spices, like banks of fragrant herbs. His lips are like lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh.
14His hands are like cylinders of gold set with jewels. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires.
15His legs are like pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold. His presence is like the Lebanon mountains, outstanding as its cedars.
16His mouth is sweetness itself; he is completely lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.