What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus charge us?
Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Which way has your beloved turned that we may seek him with you?
If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow the tracks of the flock and pasture your kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
For he grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah
with all kinds of wealth. The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!