Song of Songs 1:1-7

A man and a woman who love each other

1 This is Solomon's most beautiful song.

The young woman:

2 Please kiss me with your lips!

Your love makes me happier than wine does.

3 You have put perfume on your body.

It has a lovely smell.

The sound of your name causes pleasure everywhere,

like sweet perfume.

All the young women love you!

4 Take me away with you. Come quickly.

I want the king to take me into his rooms.

The woman's friends:

1:4The woman's friends are speaking to the young man.

We are very happy!

You make us happy.

We praise your love,

because it is better than wine.

The young woman:

I agree! The young women are right to praise you like that.

5 Young women of Jerusalem,

my skin is dark but I am beautiful.

1:5Jerusalem was the capital city of Israel, where Solomon was king. God's temple was in Jerusalem.

My skin is dark, like the tents of Kedar.

It is beautiful, like the curtains of King Solomon's tent.

6 The sun has caused my skin to become dark.

Please do not look at me as if I am strange.

My brothers were angry with me.

They caused me to work outside in the sun.

I took care of the vineyards,

and I could not take care of my own vineyard, my body.

7 I love you, my dear one.

1:7The woman now speaks to the young man.

Tell me where you take your sheep to eat grass.

Where will you take them to rest at midday?

I do not want to look for you everywhere

among the sheep of your friends.

They might not understand what I am doing.

The young man: