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I had just passed them
    when I found the one I love.
I held him and wouldn’t let him go
    until I brought him to my mother’s house,
        to the room of the one who conceived me.

Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem,
    by the gazelles or by the does of the field,
that you won’t awaken or arouse love
    before its proper time![a]

The Lover Arrives

What[b] is this coming up from the desert
    like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh[c] and incense[d]
    from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 3:5 Lit. until it pleases
  2. Song of Solomon 3:6 Or Who
  3. Song of Solomon 3:6 Myrrh was a fragrant spice used as a perfume.
  4. Song of Solomon 3:6 Or frankincense

Scarcely had I passed them
    when I found the one my heart loves.
I held him and would not let him go
    till I had brought him to my mother’s house,(A)
    to the room of the one who conceived me.(B)
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you(C)
    by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
    until it so desires.(D)

Who is this coming up from the wilderness(E)
    like a column of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh(F) and incense
    made from all the spices(G) of the merchant?

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