King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
1
Asleep on my bed, night after night I dreamed of the one I love; I was looking for him, but couldn't find him.
2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
2
I went wandering through the city, through its streets and alleys. I looked for the one I love. I looked, but couldn't find him.
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
3
The sentries patrolling the city saw me. I asked them, "Have you found my lover?"
4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
4
As soon as I left them, I found him. I held him and wouldn't let him go until I took him to my mother's house, to the room where I was born.
5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
5
Promise me, women of Jerusalem; swear by the swift deer and the gazelles that you will not interrupt our love.
6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
6
What is this coming from the desert like a column of smoke, fragrant with incense and myrrh, the incense sold by the traders?
7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
7
Solomon is coming, carried on his throne; sixty soldiers form the bodyguard, the finest soldiers in Israel.
8 They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
8
All of them are skillful with the sword; they are battle-hardened veterans. Each of them is armed with a sword, on guard against a night attack.
9 King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
9
King Solomon is carried on a throne made of the finest wood.
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
10
Its posts are covered with silver; over it is cloth embroidered with gold. Its cushions are covered with purple cloth, lovingly woven by the women of Jerusalem.
11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
11
Women of Zion, come and see King Solomon. He is wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head on his wedding day, on the day of his gladness and joy.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.