| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Night after night on my bed, I sought the one I love; I sought him, but didn't find him. | 1 In my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. |
| 2I'll get up and go all around the city, throughout the streets, and in the squares. I'll seek the one I love. I sought him, but didn't find him. | 2I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas. I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him. |
| 3The watchmen who go all around the city found me. I asked, "Have you seen the one I love?" | 3The guards who go about the city found me. I asked them, "Have you seen the one I love?" |
| 4I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and wouldn't let him go until I brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me. | 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 house-- to the chamber of the one who conceived me. |
| 5Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time! | 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. N |
| 6What is this coming up from the desert like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense from all the fragrant powders of the merchant? | 6What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? |
| 7Look! It's Solomon's sedan chair, with 60 of the best soldiers in Israel surrounding it. | 7It is Solomon's royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. |
| 8All of them are wearing swords and are experienced in battle. Each has his sword on his thigh, ready for the terror of the night. | 8All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. |
| 9King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself from the trees of Lebanon. | 9King Solomon made a sedan chair for himself with wood from Lebanon. |
| 10He made its posts of silver, its back of gold. Its seat was purple, and its interior was lovingly inlaid by the young women of Jerusalem. | 10He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, and its seat of purple. Its interior is inlaid with love by the young women of Jerusalem. |
| 11Come out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day— his day of great delight. | 11Come out, young women of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown his mother placed on him the day of his wedding-- the day of his heart's rejoicing. |
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