The bride

16 My dearest belongs to me and I belong to him—

the man grazing among the lilies.

17 Until the daylight arrives and the shadows flee, turn.

My dearest resembles a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains.

3 On my bed in the night, I search for the one that my soul loves.

≈I searched for him, but I didn’t find him.

2 I’ll get up now and go about in the city—

in the streets and in the squares.

I will search for the man who my soul loves.

I looked for him, but I didn’t find him.

3 The guards going around in the city found me:

“Have you seen the man whom my soul loves?”

4 I’d hardly passed by the guards

when I found him whom my soul loves.

I held him and I wouldn’t let him go

until I’d brought him to my mother’s house

≈and to the room of the woman who conceived me.

5 I strongly advise you, young women of Yerushalem,

by the female gazelles or the does in the countryside,

don’t awaken or stir love until it pleases.