Song of Songs 8:1-4
Song of Songs 8:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me. I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house— she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates. His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 The Message (MSG)
I wish you’d been my twin brother, sharing with me the breasts of my mother, Playing outside in the street, kissing in plain view of everyone, and no one thinking anything of it. I’d take you by the hand and bring you home where I was raised by my mother. You’d drink my wine and kiss my cheeks. Imagine! His left hand cradling my head, his right arm around my waist! Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 King James Version (KJV)
O that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, I should not be despised. I would lead thee, And bring thee into my mother's house, Who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine Of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand should be under my head, And his right hand should embrace me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
“Oh that you were like a brother to me Who nursed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you; No one would despise me, either. I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates. Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.” “I want you to swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.”
Song of Songs 8:1-4 New Century Version (NCV)
I wish you were like my brother who fed at my mother’s breasts. If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would look down on me. I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house; she is the one who taught me. I would give you a drink of spiced wine from my pomegranates. My lover’s left hand is under my head, and his right arm holds me tight. Women of Jerusalem, promise not to awaken or excite my feelings of love until it is ready.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 American Standard Version (ASV)
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me. I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand should be under my head, And his right hand should embrace me. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
Oh, that you were like my brother, Who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I should find you outside, I would kiss you; I would not be despised. I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, She who used to instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“Oh, that you were like a brother to me, Who nursed at the breasts of my mother. If I found you out of doors, I would kiss you; No one would blame me or despise me, either. [Ps 143:6] “I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me; I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates. “Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.” [Ex 19:4; Deut 33:27] ¶“I command you to take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, That you do not rouse nor awaken my love Until she pleases.”
Song of Songs 8:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)
Oh, I wish you were my brother, who nursed at my mother’s breasts. Then I could kiss you no matter who was watching, and no one would criticize me. I would bring you to my childhood home, and there you would teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, my sweet pomegranate wine. Your left arm would be under my head, and your right arm would embrace me. Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 The Passion Translation (TPT)
If only I could show everyone this passionate desire I have for you. If only I could express it fully, no matter who was watching me, without shame or embarrassment. I long to bring you to my innermost chamber— this holy sanctuary you have formed within me. O that I might carry you within me! I would give you the spiced wine of my love, this full cup of bliss that we share. We would drink our fill until . . . His left hand cradles my head while his right hand holds me close. We are at rest in this love. Promise me, brides-to-be, by the gentle gazelles and delicate deer, that you’ll not disturb my love until he is ready to arise.
Song of Songs 8:1-4 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Oh that you were like a brother to me who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and none would despise me. I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother— she who used to teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me! I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.