5. I am dark but beautiful,O women of Jerusalem—dark as the tents of Kedar,dark as the curtains of Solomon’s tents.
6. Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin.My brothers were angry with me;they forced me to care for their vineyards,so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard.
7. Tell me, my love, where are you leading your flock today?Where will you rest your sheep at noon?For why should I wander like a prostituteamong your friends and their flocks?
8. If you don’t know, O most beautiful woman,follow the trail of my flock,and graze your young goats by the shepherds’ tents.
9. You are as exciting, my darling,as a mare among Pharaoh’s stallions.
10. How lovely are your cheeks;your earrings set them afire!How lovely is your neck,enhanced by a string of jewels.
11. We will make for you earrings of goldand beads of silver.
12. The king is lying on his couch,enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume.
13. My lover is like a sachet of myrrhlying between my breasts.
14. He is like a bouquet of sweet henna blossomsfrom the vineyards of En-gedi.
15. How beautiful you are, my darling,how beautiful!Your eyes are like doves.
16. You are so handsome, my love,pleasing beyond words!The soft grass is our bed;
17. fragrant cedar branches are the beams of our house,and pleasant smelling firs are the rafters.