8:1 If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no-one would despise me.
8:2 I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.
8:3 His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.
8:4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
8:5 Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labour gave you birth.
8:6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm for love is as strong as death, its jealousy [Or ardour] unyielding as the grave. [Hebrew: Sheol] It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. [Or like the very flame of the LORD]
8:7 Many waters cannot quench love rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it [Or he] would be utterly scorned.
8:8 We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for?
8:9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
8:10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
8:11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels [That is, about 25 pounds (about 11.5 kilograms) also in verse 12] of silver.
8:12 But my own vineyard is mine to give the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred [That is, about 5 pounds (about 2.3 kilograms)] are for those who tend its fruit.
8:13 You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
8:14 Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains. 1525 ISAIAH