Song of Solomon 2:8-17

Contemporary English Version

⁸ I hear the voice
    of the one I love,
as he comes leaping
over mountains and hills
⁹     like a deer or a gazelle.
Now he stands outside our wall,
looking through the window
¹⁰     and speaking to me.

My darling, I love you!
    Let's go away together.
¹¹ Winter is past,
    the rain has stopped;
¹² flowers cover the earth,
    it's time to sing.^[a]
The cooing of doves
    is heard in our land.
¹³ Fig trees are bearing fruit,
while blossoms on grapevines
    fill the air with perfume.
My darling, I love you!
    Let's go away together.
¹⁴ You are my dove
hiding among the rocks
    on the side of a cliff.
Let me see how lovely you are!
Let me hear the sound
    of your melodious voice.
¹⁵ Our vineyards are in blossom;
we must catch the little foxes
    that destroy the vineyards.^[b]

¹⁶ My darling, I am yours,
    and you are mine,
as you feed your sheep
    among the lilies.
¹⁷ Pretend to be a young deer
dancing on mountain slopes^[c]
    until daylight comes
    and shadows fade away.