Song of Solomon 8:5-12

¶“Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning upon her beloved?” “ U nder the apple tree I awakened you [to my love]; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth. “Put me like a seal on your heart, Like a seal on your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, [A most vehement flame] the very flame of the LORD! [Deut 4:24; Is 49:16; 1 Cor 10:22] “Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can rivers drown it. If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly scorned and despised.” ¶“We have a little sister And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for [in marriage]? “If she is a wall (discreet, womanly), We will build on her a turret (dowry) of silver; But if she is a door (bold, flirtatious), We will enclose her with planks of cedar.” ¶“I was a wall, and my breasts were like the towers. Then I became in the king’s eyes As one [to be respected and allowed] to find peace. “Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers; Each one was to bring him a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. “My very own vineyard is at my disposal; The thousand [shekels of silver] are for you, O Solomon, And two hundred are for those who tend the fruit.”