See how simple it is to study with trusted help beside every verse.Try Bible Gateway Plus FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Song of Songs 8
New International Version

8 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.
2 I would lead you
and bring you to my mother’s house(A)—
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates.
3 His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.(B)
4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.(C)

#### Friends

5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness(D)
leaning on her beloved?

#### She

Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother conceived(E)you,
there she who was in labor gave you birth.
6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love(F)is as strong as death,
its jealousy[a](G)unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.[b]
7 Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it[c]would be utterly scorned.(H)

#### Friends

8 We have a little sister,
and her breasts are not yet grown.
What shall we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall,
we will build towers of silver on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

#### She

10 I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment.
11 Solomon had a vineyard(I)in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels[d](J)of silver.
12 But my own vineyard(K)is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and two hundred[e]are for those who tend its fruit.

#### He

13 You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!

#### She

14 Come away, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle(L)
or like a young stag(M)
on the spice-laden mountains.(N)

#### Footnotes

1. Song of Songs 8:6 Orardor
2. Song of Songs 8:6 Orfire, / like the very flame of theLord
3. Song of Songs 8:7 Orhe
4. Song of Songs 8:11 That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms; also in verse 12
5. Song of Songs 8:12 That is, about 5 pounds or about 2.3 kilograms

#### Cross references

1. Song of Songs 8:2:SS 3:4
2. Song of Songs 8:3:SS 2:6
3. Song of Songs 8:4:SS 2:7; S 3:5
4. Song of Songs 8:5:SS 3:6
5. Song of Songs 8:5:S SS 3:4
6. Song of Songs 8:6:S SS 1:2
7. Song of Songs 8:6:S Nu 5:14
8. Song of Songs 8:7:S Pr 6:35
9. Song of Songs 8:11:Ecc 2:4
10. Song of Songs 8:11:Isa 7:23
11. Song of Songs 8:12:S SS 1:6
12. Song of Songs 8:14:S Pr 5:19
13. Song of Songs 8:14:S SS 2:9
14. Song of Songs 8:14:S SS 2:8, 17

New International Version(NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 byBiblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles