1 I am a meadow-saffron {khavatzelet: crocus flower} of Sharon, a lily {shoshanat: symbol of beauty} of the valleys.
2 As a lily among the thorns, so is my love{ra'yati: beloved companion} among the daughters{banot: young women}.
3 As an apple tree {tappuach: fragrant fruit tree} among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I delighted {chimadti: deep desire} and sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my mouth.
4 He brought me to the house of wine, and his banner {diglo: pledge of protection} over me was love {ahavah: covenant affection}.
5 Support me with raisin-cakes {ashishot: pressed raisins}, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love {ahavah: deep affection}.
6 His left hand is under my head {le-roshe: personal closeness}, and his right hand embraces me {techabbeqeni: enfolds with affection}.
7 I have made you swear, O daughters {benot: female citizens} of Jerusalem, by the gazelles {tzevaot: swift deer} or by the hinds of the field, if you stir up or if you awaken the love until it desires.
8 The voice of my beloved {dodi: beloved companion}! Behold {hinneh-zeh: emphatic announcement}, here he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
9 My beloved {dodi: affectionate companion} is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall, watching through the windows and peering through the lattice {charakim: narrow slits}.
10 My beloved {dodi: cherished one} answered and said to me, “Rise up, my companion {rayati: dear friend}, my beautiful one, and go for yourself.”
11 For behold, the winter {setav: cold season} is past; the rain {geshem: seasonal downpour} is over and gone.
12 The blossoms {nitzanim: tender buds} have appeared in the land; the season of song {zāmīr: melodious singing} has arrived, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree has ripened its unripe figs, and the blossoming vines {semadar: young clusters} have given fragrance. Arise, go for yourself, my beloved {ra’yati: dear companion}, my beautiful one, and go for yourself.
14 My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the hidden place of the steps, let me see your appearance {mar’eh: outward form}; let me hear your voice, for your voice is pleasant {arev: deeply sweet}, and your appearance is lovely.
15 Catch for us the foxes, the little {ketannim: immature} foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom {semadar: young grape clusters}.
16 My beloved {dodi: intimate companion} is mine, and I am his; he is the one who pastures {ha-ro’eh: shepherds tenderly} among the lilies.
17 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn and be like yourself, my beloved {dodi: cherished one}, to a gazelle or to a young stag of the stags on the mountains of Bether {Bether: separated heights}.