The Bride Confesses Her Love

(Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

1The Song of songs, which is Solomon's. Beloved

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.

3Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth, therefore the virgins love you.

The Friends

4Take me away with you. Let us hurry. The king has brought me into his rooms. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you.

The Bride

5I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar's tents, like Solomon's curtains.

6Don't stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't kept my own vineyard.

7Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? Lover

Solomon Speaks

8If you don't know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds' tents.

9I have compared you, my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

10Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.

The Friends

11We will make you earrings of gold, with studs of silver. Beloved

The Bride

12While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

13My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.

14My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. Lover

Solomon

15Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves. Beloved

The Bride

16Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, yes, pleasant; and our couch is verdant. Lover

Solomon

17The beams of our house are cedars. Our rafters are firs. Beloved