1In my bed at nightA

I sought the one I love;a

I sought him, but did not find him.B b

2I will arise now and go about the city,

through the streets and the plazas.a

I will seek the one I love.

I sought him, but did not find him.

3The guards who go about the city found me.a

I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love? ”

4I had just passed them

when I found the one I love.

I held on to him and would not let him go

until I brought him to my mother’s housea —

to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

5Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and the wild does of the field,

do not stir up or awaken love

until the appropriate time.a a

Narrator

6Who is thisa coming up from the wilderness

like columns of smoke,

scented with myrrh and frankincenseb

from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

7Look! Solomon’s bed

surrounded by sixty warriors

from the mighty men of Israel.

8All of them are skilled with swords

and trained in warfare.

Each has his sword at his sidea

to guard against the terror of the night.b

9King Solomon made a carriage for himself

with wood from Lebanon.

10He made its posts of silver,

its backA of gold,

and its seat of purple.

Its interior is inlaid with loveB

by the young women of Jerusalem.a

11Go out, young women of Zion,a

and gaze at King Solomon,

wearing the crown his mother placed on him

on the day of his weddingb —

the day of his heart’s rejoicing.