I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know.

The Beloved to Her Lover: Oh, how handsome you are, my lover! Oh, how delightful you are! The lush foliage is our canopied bed;

Indeed, they are barely planted; yes, they are barely sown; yes, they barely take root in the earth, and then he blows on them, causing them to dry up, and the wind carries them away like straw.

Who decreed this from the beginning, so we could know? Who announced it ahead of time, so we could say, ‘He’s correct’? Indeed, none of them decreed it! Indeed, none of them announced it! Indeed, no one heard you say anything!

who summons an eagle from the east, from a distant land, one who carries out my plan. Yes, I have decreed, yes, I will bring it to pass; I have formulated a plan, yes, I will carry it out.

The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he departed.

The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts.

At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

Can anyone catch it by its eyes, or pierce its nose with a snare?

who, moreover, do no wrong, but follow in his footsteps.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!

A man uses it to make a fire; he takes some of it and warms himself. Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Then he makes a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the Lord flared up against Israel.

So the anger of the Lord was kindled that day, and he swore,

The wisest of her ladies answer; indeed she even thinks to herself,

Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend.

“How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him!

But you even break off piety, and hinder meditation before God.

how much less man, who is abominable and corrupt, who drinks in evil like water!

how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot – a son of man, who is only a worm!”