He chose the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loves.

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful followers; he delivers them from the power of the wicked.

The king is strong; he loves justice. You ensure that legal decisions will be made fairly; you promote justice and equity in Jacob.

The Lord protects those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.

The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up all who are bent over. The Lord loves the godly.

“How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

The fragrance of your colognes is delightful; your name is like the finest perfume. No wonder the young women adore you!

The Beloved about Her Lover: All night long on my bed I longed for my lover. I longed for him but he never appeared.

“You, my servant Israel, Jacob whom I have chosen, offspring of Abraham my friend,

Since you are precious and special in my sight, and I love you, I will hand over people in place of you, nations in place of your life.

People of Jerusalem, go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning. Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly. Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab. For your allies have all been defeated.

In a far-off land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.

“Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians – warriors

Therefore I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted.

Soon I will expose her lewd nakedness in front of her lovers, and no one will be able to rescue her from me!

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger will turn away from them.