5. I am black but beautiful, O maidens of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6. Do not gaze at me because I am black, because the sun has stared at me. The sons of my mother were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own “vineyard” I did not keep.
7. Tell me, you whom my heart loves, where do you pasture your flock, where do your sheep lie down at the noon? For why should I be like one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?
8. If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow the tracks of the flock, and pasture your little lambs beside the tents of the shepherds.
9. To a mare among the chariots of Pharaoh, I compare you, my beloved.
10. Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11. We will make ornaments of gold for you with studs of silver.
12. While the king was on his couch, my nard gave its fragrance.
13. My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh, he spends the night between my breasts.
14. My beloved is to me a cluster of blossoms of henna in the vineyards of En Gedi.
15. Look! You are beautiful, my beloved. Look! You are beautiful; your eyes are doves.
16. Look! You are beautiful, my beloved, truly pleasant. Truly our couch is verdant;
17. the beams of our house are cedar; our rafter is cypress.