The Bride

“I am black and (A)beautiful,
You (B)daughters of Jerusalem,
Like the (C)tents of (D)Kedar,
Like the curtains of Solomon.
Do not stare at me because I am [a]dark,
For the sun has tanned me.
My (E)mother’s sons were angry with me;
They made me (F)caretaker of the vineyards,
But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
Tell me, you (G)whom my soul loves,
Where do you (H)pasture your flock,
Where do you have it (I)lie down at noon?
For why should I be like one who [b]veils herself
Beside the flocks of your (J)companions?”

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 1:6 Or swarthy, blackish
  2. Song of Solomon 1:7 Some ancient versions wanders

Dark am I, yet lovely,(A)
    daughters of Jerusalem,(B)
dark like the tents of Kedar,(C)
    like the tent curtains of Solomon.[a]
Do not stare at me because I am dark,
    because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother’s sons were angry with me
    and made me take care of the vineyards;(D)
    my own vineyard I had to neglect.
Tell me, you whom I love,
    where you graze your flock
    and where you rest your sheep(E) at midday.
Why should I be like a veiled(F) woman
    beside the flocks of your friends?

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Songs 1:5 Or Salma