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Double Refrain: Embrace and Adjuration

His left hand is under my head,
    and his right hand embraces[a] me.
I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem,[b]
    do not[c] arouse or awaken love until it pleases![d]

Up from the Wilderness and under the Apple Tree

Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
    leaning upon her beloved?
Under the apple tree I awakened you;
    there your mother conceived you;[e]
        there she who was in labor gave birth to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 8:3 Or “embraced”
  2. Song of Solomon 8:4 Literally “O daughters of Jerusalem”
  3. Song of Solomon 8:4 Or “Why must you … before it pleases?”
  4. Song of Solomon 8:4 Or “Do not stir up or awaken the love until it is willing,” or “Do not disturb or interrupt our lovemaking until it is satisfied”
  5. Song of Solomon 8:5 Literally “was in labor with you”