Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
6 I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.
6
I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure.I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.
7 The watchmen found me, as they went about in the city; they beat me, they wounded me, they took away my mantle, those watchmen of the walls.
7
The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen of the walls!
8 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.
8
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you— if you find my beloved, what will you tell him? Tell him I am faint with love.
9 What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?
9
How is your beloved better than others, most beautiful of women? How is your beloved better than others, that you so charge us?
10 My beloved is all radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.
10
My beloved is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.
11 His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven.
11
His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves beside springs of water, bathed in milk, fitly set.
12
His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels.
13 His cheeks are like beds of spices, yielding fragrance. His lips are lilies, distilling liquid myrrh.
13
His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh.
14 His arms are rounded gold, set with jewels. His body is ivory work, encrusted with sapphires.
14
His arms are rods of gold set with topaz. His body is like polished ivory decorated with lapis lazuli.
15 His legs are alabaster columns, set upon bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.
15
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars.
16 His speech is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
16
His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.