1 If only I could show everyone this passionate desire I have for you.  If only I could express it fully, no matter who was watching me, without shame or embarrassment.  2 I long to bring you to my innermost chamber - this holy sanctuary you have formed within me.  O that I might carry you within me!  I would give you the spiced wine of my love, this fully cup of bliss that we share.  We would drink our fill until... 3 His left hand cradles my head while his right hold holds me close.  We are at rest in this love.  4 Promise me, brides-to-be, by the gentle gazelles and delicate deer, that you'll not disturb my love until he is ready to arise.  

13 The love apples are in bloom, sending forth their fragrance of spring.  The rarest of fruits are found at our doors - the new as well as the old.  I have stored them for you, my lover-friend!

The Passion Translation 

9 For your kisses of love are exhilarating, more than any delight I've known before.  Your kisses of love awaken even the lips of sleeping ones.  

The Shulamite Bride

10 Now I know that I am for my beloved and all his desires are fulfilled in me.  11 Come away, my lover.  Come with me to the far away fields.  We will run away together to the forgotten places and show them redeeming love.  12 Let us arise and run to the vineyards of your people and see if the budding vines of love are now in full bloom.  We will discover if their passion is awakened.  There I will display my love for you.  

6 How delicious is your fair beauty, it cannot be described as I count the delights you bring to me.  Love has become the greatest.  You stand in victory above the rest, stately and secure as you share with me your vineyard of love.  8 Now I decree, I will ascend my palm tree.  I will take hold of you with my power, possessing every part of my fruitful bride.  Your love I will drink as wine, and your words will be mine.  

The Passion Translation

4 Your life stands tall as a tower, like a shining light on a hill.  Your revelation eyes are pure, like pools of refreshing - sparkling light for a multitude.  Such discernment surrounds you, protecting you from the enemy's advance.  5 Redeeming love crowns you as royalty.  Your thoughts are full of life, wisdom, and virtue.  Even a king is held captive by your beauty. 

New Living Translation

4 Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower.  Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbim.  Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus.  5 Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel, and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty.  The king is held captive by its tresses.  

The Passion Translation

1 How beautiful on the mountains are the sandaled feet of this one bringing such good news.  You are truly royalty!  The way you walk so gracefully in my ways displays such dignity.  You are truly the poetry of God-His very handiwork.  2-3 Out of your innermost being is flowing the fullness of my Spirit - never failing to satisfy.  Within your womb there is a birthing of harvest wheat; they are the sons and daughters nurtured by the purity you impart.  How gracious you have become!

The Shulamite Bride:

11 I decided to go down to the valley streams where the orchards of the king grow and mature.  I longed to know if hearts were opening.  Are the budding vines blooming with new growth?  Has their springtime of passionate love arrived?  12 Then suddenly my longings transported me.  My divine desire brought me next to my beloved prince, sitting with him in his royal chariot.  We were lifted up together.  

Zion maidens, brides-to-be:

13 Come back!  Return to us, O maiden of his majesty.  Dance for us as we gaze upon your beauty.  

The Shulamite Bride:

Why would you seek a mere Shulamite like me?  Why would you want to see my dance of love?

The Bridegroom King:

Because you dance so gracefully, as though you danced with angels!

New Living Translation

Your teeth are as white as sheep that are freshly washed.  Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin.  7 Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil.  8 Even among sixty queens and eighty concubines are countless young women, 9 I would still choose my dove, my perfect one the favorite of her mother, dearly loved by the one who bore her.  The young women see her and praise her; even queens and royal concubines sing her praises:  10 "Who is this, arising like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as an army with billowing banners?"

The Passion Translation

6 The shining of your spirit shows how you have taken my truth and become balanced and complete.  7 Your beautiful blushing cheeks reveal how real your passion is for me,  even hidden behind your veil of humility.  8 I could have chose any from among the vast multitude of royal ones who follow me.  9 But unique is my beloved dove-unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare, the perfect one, the favorite one.  Others see your beauty and sing of your joy.  Brides and queens chant your praise: "How blessed is she!"  10 Look at you now - arising as the daysprings of the dawn, fair as the shining moon, bright and brilliant as the sun in all its strength - astonishing to behold as a majestic army waving banners of victory.  

1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing.  I will sing praises, even with my soul.  2 Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn!  3 I will give thanks to You, O Yehovah, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nation.  4 For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.  5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.  6 That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer me!

The Bridegroom King

4 O my beloved, you are lovely.  When I see you in your beauty, I see a radiant city where we will dwell as one.  More pleasing than any pleasure, more delightful than any delight, you have ravished my heart, stealing away my strength to resist you.  Even hosts of angels stand in awe of you.  5 Turn your eyes from me; I can't take it anymore!  I can't resist the passion of those eyes that I adore.  Overpowered by a glance, my ravished heart - undone.  Held captive by your love, I am truly overcome!  For your undying devotion to me is the most yielded sacrifice.