Song of Solomon 5:5-16

“I arose to open for my beloved; And my hands dripped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid [sweet-scented] myrrh, On the handles of the bolt. “I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart went out to him when he spoke. I searched for him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me. “The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The guardsmen of the walls took my shawl from me. “I command that you take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, As to what you tell him— [Say that] I am sick from love [sick from being without him].” [Ps 63:1] ¶“What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, That you should so command us to take an oath?” [John 10:26] ¶“My beloved is exquisitely handsome and ruddy, Outstanding among ten thousand. [Ps 45:2; John 1:14] “His head is like [precious] gold, pure gold; His hair is [curly] like clusters of dates And black as a raven. “His eyes are like doves Beside streams of water, Bathed in milk And reposed in their setting. “His cheeks are like a bed of balsam, Banks of sweet, fragrant herbs. His lips are lilies Dripping sweet-scented myrrh. “His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl; His abdomen is a figure of carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires. “His legs are [strong and steady] pillars of alabaster Set upon pedestals of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, Stately and choice as the cedars. “His mouth is full of sweetness; Yes, he is altogether lovely and desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” [Ps 92:15; Col 1:15]