Bible in 90 Days
The Purposes in God’s Timing
3 There is a season for everything,
and a time for every event under heaven:[a]
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to search, and a time to give up searching;[b]
a time to keep, and a time to discard;
7 a time to tear, and a time to mend;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
The Purpose of Life
9 What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? 10 I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. 11 He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end.
12 I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; 13 moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God.
14 I have concluded that everything that God undertakes will last for eternity—nothing can be added to it nor taken away from it—and that God acts this way so that people will fear him. 15 That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place.
From Dust to Dust
16 I also examined on earth:
where the halls of justice were supposed to be,
there was lawlessness;
and where the righteous were supposed to be,[c]
there was lawlessness.
17 I told myself, “God will judge both the righteous and the wicked, because there is a time set to judge[d] every event and every work.”
18 “As for human beings,” I told myself, “God puts them to the test, that they might see themselves as mere animals.” 19 For what happens to people also happens to animals—a single event happens to them: just as someone dies, so does the other. In fact, they all breathe the same way, so that a human being has no superiority over an animal. All of this is pointless. 20 All of them go to one place: all of them originate from dust, and all of them return to dust.
21 Who knows whether[e] the spirit of human beings ascends, and whether[f] the spirit of animals descends to the earth? 22 I concluded that it is worthwhile for people to find joy in their accomplishments, because that is their inheritance, since who can see what will exist after them?
On the Abuse of Authority
4 Next I turned to consider all kinds of oppression that exists on earth.
Look at the tears of the oppressed—
there is no one to comfort them.
Power is on the side of their oppressors;
so they have no comforters.
2 So I commended the dead who had already died as being happier than the living who are still alive. 3 Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born,[g] because he hasn’t experienced evil on earth. 4 Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others.[h] This also is pointless and chasing after the wind. 5 The fool crosses his arms[i] and starves himself.[j] 6 It’s better to have one handful of tranquility than to have two handfuls of trouble and to chase after the wind.
On Aloneness and Companionship
7 Then I turned to re-examine something else that is pointless on earth: 8 Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is[k] never satisfied with wealth. “So for whom do I work,” he asks,[l] “and deprive myself of pleasure?” This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10 If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend—but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up. 11 Again, if two lie close together, they will keep warm, but how can only one stay warm? 12 If someone attacks one of them, the two of them together will resist. Furthermore, the tri-braided cord is not soon broken.
There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool
13 A poor but wise youth is better
than an old but foolish king
who will no longer accept correction.
14 The former can come out of prison to reign,
while the latter, even if born to[m] kingship, may become poor.
15 I observed everyone who lives and walks on earth, along with the youth[n] who will take the king’s[o] place. 16 There was no end to all of his subjects[p] or to all of the people who had come before them. But those who come along afterward will not be happy with him. This is also pointless and a chasing after wind.
Advice in Worship
5 [q]Watch your step whenever you visit God’s house, and come more ready to listen than to offer a fool’s sacrifice, since fools[r] never think they’re doing evil.
2 [s]Don’t be impulsive with your mouth
nor be in a hurry to talk in God’s presence.
Since God is in heaven
and you’re on earth,
keep your speech short.
3 Too many worries lead to nightmares,
and a fool is known from talking too much.
Keep Your Promises to God
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t fail to keep it, since he isn’t pleased with fools. Keep what you promise— 5 it’s better that you don’t promise than that you do promise and not follow through.[t] 6 Never let your mouth cause you[u] to sin and don’t proclaim in the presence of the angel,[v] “My promise[w] was a mistake,” for why should God be angry at your excuse[x] and destroy what you’ve undertaken? 7 In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God.
The Use and Abuse of Wealth
8 Don’t be surprised when you see the poor oppressed and the violent perverting both justice and verdicts[y] in a province, for one high official watches another, and there are ones higher still over them. 9 Also, the increase of the land belongs to everyone; the king himself is served by his[z] field.
10 Whoever loves money will never have enough money.
Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance.
This also is pointless.
11 When possessions increase,
so does the number of consumers;
therefore what good are they to their owners,
except to look at them?
12 Sweet is the sleep of a working man,
whether he eats a little or a lot,
but the excess wealth of the rich
will not allow him to rest.
13 I have observed a painful tragedy on earth:
Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him,
14 and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances.
Then a son is born,
but there is nothing left for him.[aa]
15 Just as he came naked from his mother’s womb,
he will leave[ab] as naked as he came;
he will receive no profit from his efforts—
he cannot carry away even a handful.
16 This is also a painful tragedy:
However a person comes, he also departs;
so what does he gain as he labors after the wind?
17 Furthermore, all his days he lives[ac] in darkness
with great sorrow, anger, and affliction.
The Use and Abuse of Accomplishment
18 Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person’s[ad] work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment. 19 Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God. 20 For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart.
Enjoyment of Life as a Gift from God
6 There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart’s desires—but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous affliction.
3 A man might father a hundred children,[ae] and live for many years, so that the length of his life[af] is long—but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn’t receive a proper[ag] burial, I maintain that stillborn children[ah] are better off than he is, 4 because stillborn children[ai] arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. 5 Furthermore, though they never saw the sun nor learned anything,[aj] they are more content than the other. 6 Even if he lives a thousand years twice over without experiencing the best—aren’t all of them going to the same place?
7 Every person works for his own self-interests,[ak]
but his desires remain unsatisfied.
8 For what advantage has the wise person over the fool?
What advantage does the poor man have
in knowing how to face life?[al]
9 It is better to focus on what you can see
than to meander after your self-interest;
this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.
10 Whatever exists has been named already;[am]
people know what it means[an] to be human—
and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he.
11 Because many words lead to pointlessness,
how do people benefit from this?
12 Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through[ao] like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them?
Lessons for Life
7 A good name exceeds the value of fine perfume,
and the day of someone’s death exceeds the value of[ap] the day of his birth.
2 It’s better to attend a funeral[aq]
than to attend a banquet,[ar]
for everyone dies eventually,
and the living will take this to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
because the heart is made better through trouble.
4 For the wise person thinks carefully when in mourning,
but fools focus their thoughts on pleasure.
5 It is better to listen to a wise person’s rebuke
than to listen to the praise[as] of fools.
6 For as thorns burn to heat a pot,
so also is the laughter of the fool—
even this is pointless.
Avoiding the Evils of Life
7 Unjust gain makes the wise foolish,
and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 The conclusion of something is better than its beginning,
and a patient attitude[at] is more valuable than a proud one.[au]
9 Never be in a hurry to become internally angry,
since anger settles down in the lap of fools.
10 Never ask “Why does the past[av] seem so much better than now?”[aw]
because this question does not come from wisdom.
11 Wise use of possessions is good;
it brings benefit to the living.[ax]
12 Indeed, wisdom gives protection,[ay] just like money does,
but it’s better to know that wisdom gives life,
to those who have mastered[az] it.
The Works of God
13 Consider the work of God:
Who is able to straighten
what he has bent?
14 When times are good, be joyful;
when times are bad, consider this:
God made the one as well as the other,
so people won’t seek anything outside of his best.
15 I have seen it all[ba] during my pointless life:
both a righteous person who dies
while he is righteous,
and a wicked person who lives to an old age,
while remaining wicked.[bb]
Practical Wisdom
16 Do not be overly righteous,
nor be overly wise.
Why be self-destructive?
17 Do not excel at wickedness,
nor be a fool.
Why die before your time?
18 It is good for you to grab hold of this and not let go,
because whoever fears God will escape
all of these extremes.[bc]
19 Wisdom given as strength to a wise person
is better than having ten powerful men in the city.
20 For there is not a single righteous man on earth
who practices good and does not sin.
21 Don’t listen to everything that is spoken—
you may hear your servant cursing you,
22 since you also know how often
you have cursed others.
23 I used my wisdom to test all of this.
I said, “I want to be wise,”
but it was beyond me.
24 Whatever it is,
it’s far off and most profound.
Who can attain it?
25 I committed myself to understand,
to learn, to search for wisdom and explanations,
and to understand both the evil that is foolishness
and the stupidity that is delusion.
26 I discovered for myself a bitterness
that surpasses that of death:
the woman whose heart is full of[bd] snares and nets,
whose hands are chains of bondage.
Whoever pleases God will escape from her,
but the transgressor will be trapped by her.
27 “Look at this,” says the Teacher. “Linking one thing to another, I reached this conclusion:
28 Among the things I seek but have not found:
one man among a thousand I did find,
but I have not found one woman to be wise[be] among all these.
29 I have discovered only this:
God made human beings for righteousness,
but they seek many alternatives.”
The Wise Use of Power
8 Who is really wise?
Who knows how to interpret this saying:
“A person’s wisdom improves his appearance,
softening a harsh countenance.”
The Wisdom of Pleasing Leaders
2 I advise[bf] doing what the king says, especially regarding an oath to God. 3 Don’t be in a hurry to leave him, and don’t persist in evil, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, “What are you doing?”
5 Whoever obeys his commands will not experience harm, and the wise in heart will discern both the appropriate time and response.[bg] 6 Indeed, there is an appropriate time and a response[bh] for every circumstance, since human misery weighs heavily upon him. 7 For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about? 8 Just as no human being has control over the wind[bi] to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice[bj] it.
9 I observed all this, and carefully considered everything that is undertaken on earth, especially the time when someone dominates another to his detriment. 10 So I watched the wicked being entombed. They used to come in and out of the Holy Place,[bk] but now they are forgotten in the city, where they used to work. This, too, is pointless.
The Wisdom of Fearing God
11 Whenever a sentence for a crime is not carried out swiftly, the human mind[bl] becomes determined to commit evil. 12 Even though a sinner does what is wrong a hundred times and still survives, nevertheless I also know that things will go well for those who fear God, who fear in his presence. 13 But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life[bm] like a shadow, since he has no fear before God.
Fruitless Righteousness, Fruitful Evil
14 Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless. 15 So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth.
16 When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth—even going without sleep day and night— 17 I saw all of it as the activity of God. Frankly, a human being cannot understand what happens on earth, because however hard a man works to discover it, he will not find out. Despite what he thinks he knows, he will not be able to figure it out.
God’s Sovereignty
9 In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them. 2 Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice.
As it is with the good person,
so also it is with the sinner;
as it is with someone who takes an oath,
so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.
The Universality of Death
3 There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead. 4 “While someone is among the living, hope remains,” because “it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion.”[bn]
5 At least the living know they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they no longer have a reward,
since memory about them has been forgotten.
6 Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy
have been long lost.
Never again will they have a part
in what happens on earth.
The Fine Art of Enjoying Life
7 Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions. 8 Always keep your garments white, and don’t fail to anoint your head. 9 Find joy in living with your wife whom you love every day of your pointless life that God[bo] gave you on earth, because this is your life assignment and your work to do on earth. 10 Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world[bp] where you’re going.
11 I considered and observed on earth the following:
The race doesn’t go to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise,
nor wealth to the smart,
nor recognition to the skilled.
Instead, timing and circumstances meet them all.
12 In addition, no human being knows his time:
Like fish captured in a cruel net,
or as birds caught in a snare,
so also are human beings caught by bad timing
that surprises them.
Wisdom Surpasses Foolishness
13 I also observed this example of[bq] wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me: 14 There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it. 15 Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.
16 So I concluded,[br] “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard.”
17 The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard
rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.
Proverbs about Wisdom and Foolishness
10 As dead flies cause the perfumer’s ointment to stink,
so also does a little foolishness to one’s reputation of wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart tends toward his right,
but a fool’s heart tends toward his left.
3 Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense;
he proclaims to everyone that he’s a fool.
4 If your overseer gets angry at you, don’t resign,
because calmness pacifies great offenses.
5 Here’s another tragedy that I’ve observed on earth,
a kind of error that comes from an overseer:
6 Foolishness is given great honor,
while the prosperous sit in lowly places.[bs]
7 And I have observed servants riding[bt] on horses,
while princes walk on the ground like servants.
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall
may suffer a snake bite.
9 Someone who quarries stone might be injured;
someone splitting logs can fall into danger.
10 If someone’s ax is blunt—the edge isn’t sharpened—
then more strength will be needed.
Putting wisdom to work will bring success.
11 If a serpent strikes despite being charmed,
there’s no point in being a snake charmer.
12 The words spoken by the wise are gracious,
but the lips of a fool will devour him.
13 He begins his speech with foolishness,
and concludes it with evil madness.
14 The fool overflows with words,
and no one can predict what will happen.
As to what will happen after him,
who can explain it?
15 The work of a fool so wears him out
that he can’t even find his way to town.
16 Woe to the land whose king is a youth
and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth,
whose princes feast at the right time,
for strength, and not to become drunk.
18 Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates,
and a house leaks because of idleness.
19 Festivals are for laughter,
wine makes life pleasant,
and money speaks to everything.
20 Do not curse the king,
even in your thoughts.
Do not curse the rich,
even in your bedroom.
For a bird will fly by and tell what you say,
or something with wings may talk about it.
Preparing for the Future
11 Spread your bread on the water—
after a while you will find it.
2 Apportion what you have into seven, or even eight parts,
because you don’t know what disaster might befall the land.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they will pour out on the earth;
if a tree falls toward the south or the north,
wherever it falls, there it will lay.
4 Whoever keeps staring at the wind won’t sow;
whoever daydreams[bu] won’t reap.
5 Just as you do not understand the way of the spirit
in the[bv] womb of a pregnant mother,
so also you do not know
what God is doing in everything he makes.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and don’t stop working[bw] until evening,
since you don’t know which of your endeavors will do well,
whether this one or that,
or even if both will do equally well.
Preparing for Old Age
7 How sweet is the daylight, and how pleasant it is for someone’s eyes to behold the sunshine! 8 Even if a person lives many years, let him enjoy them all, recalling that there will be many days of darkness to come—all of which are pointless. 9 So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your world view, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything. 10 Banish sorrow from your heart, and evil from your body, since both childhood and the prime of life[bx] are pointless.
Remember Your Creator
12 So remember your Creator during your youth!
Otherwise, troublesome days will come
and years will creep up on you when you’ll say,
“I find no pleasure in them,”
2 Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark,
or when clouds fail to return after the rain—
3 when that day comes, the palace guards will tremble,
strong men will stoop down,
women grinders will cease because they are few,
and the sight of[by] those who peer through the lattice will grow dim.
4 The doors to the street will be shut
when the sound of grinding decreases,
when one wakes up at the song of a bird,
and all of the singing women are silenced.
5 At that time they will fear climbing[bz] heights
and dangers along the road
while the almond tree will blossom,
and the grasshopper is weighed down.
Desire will cease,[ca]
because the person goes to his eternal home,
and mourners will gather in the marketplace.
6 When the silver cord is severed,
the golden vessel is broken,
the pitcher is shattered at the fountain,
and the wheel is broken at the cistern,
7 then man’s[cb] dust will go back to the earth,
returning to what it was,
and the spirit[cc] will return to the God who gave it.
8 “Utterly pointless,” says the Teacher.
“Everything is pointless.”
Conclusions
9 Moreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here[cd] is right and truthful.
11 Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this[ce] masterful collection was given by one shepherd. 12 So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.
13 Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard:
Fear God and obey his commandments,
for this is what it means to be human.
14 For God will judge every deed,
along with every secret,
whether good or evil.
Title
1 The Most Beautiful Song by Solomon.
The Loved One
2 Let him kiss me over and over again![cf]
Your love is better than wine.
3 The fragrance of your perfumed oil is wonderful.
Your name is perfume poured out.
Therefore the young women love you.
4 Take me with[cg] you! Let’s run away!
Let the king bring me into his private chambers.
The Young Women
The daughters[ch] of Jerusalem[ci] will rejoice and be happy for you.
We will value your love more than wine.
They love you appropriately.
The Loved One
5 The daughters[cj] of Jerusalem, I’m dark and lovely
like the tents of Kedar,
like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Don’t stare at me because I’m dark;
the sun has tanned me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me.
They made me the caretaker of the vineyards,
but I didn’t take care of my own vineyard.
7 Tell me, you whom I love,
where do you graze your flock?
Where do you make your flock lie down[ck] at noon?
Why should I be considered a veiled woman[cl]
beside the flocks of your companions?
The Lover
8 If you don’t know, most beautiful of women,
go out after the flock and graze your young goats beside the shepherd’s tents.
9 My darling, I compare you to a[cm] mare
among Pharaoh’s chariots.
10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
your neck with strings of jewels.
The Young Women
11 We will make ornaments of gold for you,
accented with silver.
The Loved One
12 While the king was sitting at his table,
my perfume sent forth its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh[cn]
that lies between my breasts all night.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna[co] blossoms
in the vineyards of En-gedi.
The Lover
15 Look at you! You are beautiful, my darling.
Look at you! You are so beautiful.
Your eyes are doves.
The Loved One
16 Look at you! You are handsome, my beloved, truly lovely.
How lush is our couch.
17 The beams of our house are cedar,[cp]
our rafters are pine.
2 I’m a flower[cq] from Sharon,
a lily of the valleys.
The Lover
2 Like a lily among thorns,
so is my darling among the young women.
The Loved One
3 Like an apple[cr] tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I take delight and sit down,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.[cs]
4 He has brought me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love.
5 Sustain me with raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples,[ct]
for I’m weak with love.
6 I wish that his left hand were under my head,
and that his right hand were embracing me!
7 Swear 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![cu]
8 The voice of my beloved!
Look! He’s coming,
leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look, there he stands behind our wall,
looking through the windows,
gazing through the lattice.
The Lover
10 My beloved spoke to me:
“Get up, my darling, my beautiful one, and come on.
11 Look! Winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
12 Blossoms have appeared in the land.
The season of songbirds[cv] has arrived,
and cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree has produced its fruit,[cw]
the grapevines have blossomed and exude their fragrance.
“Get up, my darling, my beautiful one, and come on.
14 My dove, in the hidden places of the rocks,
in the secret places of the cliffs,
show me your form, and let me hear your voice.
For your voice is pleasant,
and your shape is lovely.
15 Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes that destroy the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.”
The Loved One
16 My beloved belongs to me and I belong to him.
He is the one who shepherds his flock among the lilies.
17 Until the day breaks[cx] and the shadows flee,
turn around, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle or a young stag
on the rugged mountains.[cy]
The Loved One
3 Night after night on my bed,
I sought the one I love;
I sought him, but didn’t find him.
2 I’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.
3 The watchmen who go all around the city found me.
I asked,[cz] “Have you seen the one I love?”
4 I 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.
5 Swear 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![da]
The Lover Arrives
6 What[db] is this coming up from the desert
like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh[dc] and incense[dd]
from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
7 Look! It’s Solomon’s sedan chair,[de]
with 60 of the best soldiers in Israel[df] surrounding it.
8 All of them are wearing swords and are
experienced in battle.
Each has his sword on his thigh,
ready for the terror of the night.[dg]
9 King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself
from the trees of Lebanon.
10 He 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.
11 Come 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.[dh]
The Lover
4 Look at you! You are beautiful, my darling.
Look at you! You are so beautiful.
Your eyes behind your veil are doves,
your hair is like a flock of goats
coming down from Mt. Gilead.
2 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep about to be sheared,[di]
who are coming up from being washed.[dj]
All of them are twins,
not one has lost[dk] her young.
3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Behind your veil,
your temple is like a slice of pomegranate.
4 Your neck is like the tower of David,
built with rows of stones.
A thousand shields are hung upon it,
all the shields of the warriors.
5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.
6 Until the day breaks[dl] and the shadows flee,
I’ll go to the mountain of myrrh[dm]
and to the hill of frankincense.[dn]
7 My darling, you are altogether beautiful
and there is no blemish in you.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,
come with me from Lebanon.
May you journey from the top of Amana,
from the tops of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
from the mountain lairs of leopards.
9 You have made my heart beat faster, my sister, my[do] bride.
You have made my heart beat faster
with one glance of your eyes,
with one strand of your necklace.
10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my[dp] bride.
How much better is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume
than all kinds of spices.
11 Your lips drip honey, my[dq] bride;
milk and honey are under your tongue.
The scent of your garments
is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
12 My sister, my[dr] bride, is a locked garden
a locked rock garden, a sealed up spring.
13 Your shoots are an orchard[ds] of pomegranates,
with choice fruit, henna with nard,
14 nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with all the trees of frankincense,
along with myrrh and aloes, and all the finest spices.[dt]
15 You are a garden spring,
a well of fresh water,
streams flowing from Lebanon.
The Loved One
16 Awake, north wind, and come, south wind.
Make my garden breathe out,
let its fragrance[du] flow.
Let my beloved come into his garden,
and let him eat its choicest fruits.
The Lover
5 I’ve come into my garden, my sister, my[dv] bride;
I’ve gathered my myrrh with my spices.
I’ve eaten my honeycomb with my honey.
I’ve drunk my wine with my milk.
Eat, friends!
Drink and become drunk with love.
The Loved One
2 I was asleep, but my heart was awake.
There’s a sound! My beloved is knocking.
The Lover
“Open up for me, my sister, my darling,
my dove, my perfect one.
For my head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness of the night.”
The Loved One
3 “I’ve taken off my clothes[dw]—
am I supposed to put them on again?[dx]
I’ve washed my feet—
am I supposed to[dy] get them dirty again?”
4 My beloved reached out his hand for the latch.[dz]
My feelings for him were aroused.
5 I got up to open the door,[ea]
and my hands dripped with myrrh,
my fingers with liquid myrrh,
on the handle of the lock.
6 I opened the door[eb] for my beloved,
but my beloved had turned away; he was gone!
My very life went out when he departed.[ec]
I searched for him,
but couldn’t find him.
I called out to him,
but he didn’t answer.
7 The watchmen making their[ed] rounds
through the city found me.
They beat me, they bruised me.
Those guarding the walls took my cloak[ee] from me.
8 I charge you, young women of Jerusalem,
“If you find my beloved, what are you to tell him?
Tell him[ef] that I’m weak with love.”
The Young Women
9 What is so special about your beloved,[eg]
most beautiful of women?
What is so special about your beloved,
that you charge us like this?
The Loved One
10 My beloved is dazzling,
with a dark and healthy complexion,
outstanding among ten thousand.
11 His head is pure gold,
his hair is wavy, black like a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves
by streams of water,
bathed in milk,
mounted like jewels.
13 His cheeks are like beds of spices,
like towers of perfume.
His lips are lilies,
dripping with liquid myrrh.
14 His hands are rods of gold,
set with beryl.
His stomach is carved ivory,
inlaid with sapphires.[eh]
15 His legs are pillars of marble
set on bases of pure gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
choice like its cedars.
16 His mouth[ei] is sweetness,
and all of him is desirable.
This is my beloved, this is my friend,
young women of Jerusalem!
The Young Women
6 Where did your beloved go,
most beautiful of women?
Where did your beloved turn,
so we may look for him with you?
The Loved One
2 My beloved has gone down to his garden,
to the beds of spices,
to graze his flock[ej] in the gardens
and gather lilies.
3 I belong to my beloved, and my beloved belongs to me.
He is the one who grazes his flock[ek] among the lilies.
The Lover
4 You are beautiful, my darling, like Tirzah,[el]
lovely like Jerusalem,
as awesome as an army with banners.
5 Turn your eyes from me,
for they excite me.[em]
Your hair is like a flock of goats
coming down from Mt. Gilead.
6 Your teeth are like a flock of ewes
coming up from being washed.[en]
All of them are twins,
not one has lost[eo] her young.
7 Your temple[ep] behind your veil
is like a slice of pomegranate.
8 There are sixty queens and eighty mistresses,[eq]
and too many young women to count,
9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique.
She’s unique to her mother,
she’s pure to the one who gave birth to her.
Young women see her and call her blessed,
queens and mistresses praise her.
The Young Women
10 Who is this who appears like the dawn,
beautiful as the moon,
bright as the sun,
awesome as an army with banners?
The Loved One
11 I went down to the walnut orchard,
to look at the green sprouts in the valley,
to see whether the vine had budded,
whether the pomegranates had blossomed.
12 Before I knew it,[er] I imagined myself
among the chariots of my noble people.[es]
The Young Women
13 [et]Return, return, Shulammite,
return, return, so we may look at you!
The Lover
7 [ex]How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
noble lady.[ey]
The curves of your thighs are like ornaments,
the work of a skilled artist’s hands.
2 Your navel is a rounded goblet
that never lacks mixed wine.
Your abdomen is a bundle of wheat,
enclosed by lilies.
3 Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
4 Your neck is like a tower of ivory.
Your eyes are like the[ez] pools in Heshbon,
beside the gate of Beth-rabbim.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon,
which faces Damascus.
5 Your head crowns you[fa] like Mount Carmel.
Your flowing locks[fb] are like purple,
and a king could be captured in the dangling tresses.
6 How beautiful and lovely you are,
you are love with its exquisite delights.[fc]
7 Your stature[fd] is like a palm tree,
and your breasts are like clusters of fruit.[fe]
8 I told myself, “I’ll go up the palm tree,
and take hold of its fruit.
May your breasts be like clusters of the vine,[ff]
and the smell of your breath like apples.[fg]
9 May your mouth[fh] be like good wine.
The Loved One
May it go down smoothly to my beloved,
gliding gently over the lips of the sleeping ones.
10 I belong to my beloved,
and his desire is for me.
11 Come, my beloved.
Let us go out to the country,
let us spend the night in the villages.[fi]
12 Let us go early to the vineyards,
let us see whether the vine has budded,
whether the blossom has opened,
whether the pomegranates have bloomed.
There I’ll give you my love.
13 The mandrakes give off their[fj] fragrance,
and over our doors are all the choice fruits,
both old and new,
that I’ve stored up for you, my beloved.
8 If only you were like a brother to me,
like[fk] one who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outside I would kiss you,
and no one would view me with contempt.[fl]
2 I would lead you,
I would bring you
to the house of my mother
who used to teach me.
I would give you some spiced wine to drink,
from the juice of my pomegranates.[fm]
3 Let his left hand be under my head,
and let his right hand embrace me.
4 Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem,
that you won’t awaken or arouse love
before its proper time![fn]
The Young Women
5 Who is this coming up from the desert,
leaning on her beloved?
The Loved One
Under the apple tree[fo] I awakened you.
There your mother had gone into labor with you;
there she went into labor and gave birth to you.
6 Set me like a seal[fp] over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
passion[fq] as intense as Sheol.[fr]
The flames of love[fs] are flames of fire,
a blaze that comes from the Lord.[ft]
7 Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love,
rivers cannot put it out.
If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love,
he would surely be viewed with contempt.
The Loved One’s Brothers
8 We[fu] have a little sister,
and she has not yet reached maturity.[fv]
What will we do for our sister
to prepare her for[fw] her engagement?[fx]
9 If she’s a wall,
on her we will build a battlement of silver.
If she’s a door,
we will enclose her with planks of cedar.
The Loved One
10 I was a wall and my breasts were like towers.
Then I became like one who finds peace[fy] in his eyes.
11 Solomon has a vineyard in Baal-hamon.
He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers—
each one is to bring 1,000 pieces of silver
in exchange for its fruit.
12 My vineyard belongs to me and is at my disposal.[fz]
The 1,000 are for you, Solomon,
and 200 are for those who take care of its fruit.
The Lover
13 You who sit in the gardens,
companions are listening for your voice,
but let me hear it.
The Loved One
14 Come quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle
or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.