Song of Songs 3

₁Asleep on my bed, night after night

I dreamt of the one I love;

I was looking for him, but couldn't find him.

₂I went wandering through the city,

through its streets and alleys.

I looked for the one I love.

I looked, but couldn't find him.

₃The watchmen patrolling the city saw me.

I asked them, “Have you found my lover?”

₄As soon as I left them, I found him.

I held him and wouldn't let him go

until I took him to my mother's house,

to the room where I was born.

₅Promise me, women of Jerusalem;

swear by the swift deer and the gazelles

that you will not interrupt our love.

₆What is this coming from the desert like a column of smoke,

fragrant with incense and myrrh,

the incense sold by the traders?

₇Solomon is coming, carried on his throne;

sixty soldiers form the bodyguard,

the finest soldiers in Israel.

₈All of them are skilful with the sword;

they are battle-hardened veterans.

Each of them is armed with a sword,

on guard against a night attack.

₉King Solomon is carried on a throne

made of the finest wood.

₁₀Its posts are covered with silver;

over it is cloth embroidered with gold.

Its cushions are covered with purple cloth,

lovingly woven by the women of Jerusalem.

₁₁Women of Zion, come and see King Solomon.

He is wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head

on his wedding day,

on the day of his gladness and joy.