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New International Version (NIV) |
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8 My brothers used to worry about me: "Our little sister has no breasts. What shall we do with our little sister when men come asking for her?
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8 We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for?
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9 She's a virgin and vulnerable, and we'll protect her. If they think she's a wall, we'll top it with barbed wire. If they think she's a door, we'll barricade it."
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9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
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10 Dear brothers, I'm a walled-in virgin still, but my breasts are full - And when my lover sees me, he knows he'll soon be satisfied.
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10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
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11 King Solomon may have vast vineyards in lush, fertile country, Where he hires others to work the ground. People pay anything to get in on that bounty.
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11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels of silver.
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12 But my vineyard is all mine, and I'm keeping it to myself. You can have your vast vineyards, Solomon, you and your greedy guests!
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12 But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.
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13 Oh, lady of the gardens, my friends are with me listening. Let me hear your voice!
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13 You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
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14 Run to me, dear lover. Come like a gazelle. Leap like a wild stag on the spice mountains.
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14 Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.
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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
