10:1 One dead fly makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom. Wisdom Can Be Nullified By the Caprice of Rulers 10:2 A wise person’s good sense protects him, but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows
Ignorance of the Future Demands Diligence in the Present 11:1 Send your grain overseas, for after many days you will get a return. 11:2 Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth. 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth, and whether
Fear God Now Because Old Age and Death Come Quickly 12:1 So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 12:2 before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds
The Song of Songs 1:1 Solomon’s Most Excellent Love Song. The Desire for Love The Beloved to Her Lover: 1:2 Oh, how I wish you would kiss me passionately! For your lovemaking is more delightful than wine. 1:3 The fragrance of your colognes is delightful; your name is like the finest perfume. No wonder the young women adore you! 1:4 Draw me after you; let
2:1 I am a meadow flower from Sharon, a lily from the valleys. The Lover to His Beloved: 2:2 Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens. The Beloved about Her Lover: 2:3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and
3:1 All night long on my bed I longed for my lover. I longed for him but he never appeared. 3:2 “I will arise and look all around throughout the town, and throughout the streets and squares; I will search for my beloved.” I searched for him but I did not find him. 3:3 The night watchmen found me – the ones
4:1 Oh, you are beautiful, my darling! Oh, you are beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are like doves. Your hair is like a flock of female goats descending from Mount Gilead. 4:2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly-shorn sheep coming up from the washing place; each of them has a twin, and not one of them is missing. 4:3 Your lips
5:1 I have entered my garden, O my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my balsam spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk! The Poet to the Couple: Eat, friends, and drink! Drink freely, O lovers! The Trials of Love: The Beloved’s Dream of Losing Her Lover The Beloved about
The Lost Lover Found The Maidens to the Beloved: 6:1 Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Where has your beloved turned? Tell us, that we may seek him with you. The Beloved to the Maidens: 6:2 My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the flowerbeds of balsam spices, to graze in the gardens, and to gather lilies. Poetic Refrain: Mutual
The Beloved to Her Lover: Why do you gaze upon the Perfect One like the dance of the Mahanaim? The Lover to His Beloved: 7:1 (7:2) How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O nobleman’s daughter! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a master craftsman. 7:2 Your navel is a round mixing bowl – may it never