21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
2:1I am a rose of Sharon,a lily of the valleys.
Ephesians 5:21–33
Song of Solomon 2:1–7
He
2As a lily among brambles,so is my love among the young women.
She
3As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,so is my beloved among the young men.With great delight I sat in his shadow,and his fruit was sweet to my taste.4He brought me to the banqueting house,and his banner over me was love.5Sustain me with raisins;refresh me with apples,for I am sick with love.6His left hand is under my head,and his right hand embraces me!7I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,by the gazelles or the does of the field,that you not stir up or awaken loveuntil it pleases.
Psalm 45
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.
45:1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;I address my verses to the king;my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2You are the most handsome of the sons of men;grace is poured upon your lips;therefore God has blessed you forever.3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,in your splendor and majesty! 4In your majesty ride out victoriouslyfor the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!5Your arrows are sharpin the heart of the king’s enemies;the peoples fall under you. 6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.Therefore God, your God, has anointed youwith the oil of gladness beyond your companions;8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:forget your people and your father’s house,11and the king will desire your beauty.Since he is your lord, bow to him.12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,the richest of the people. 13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.14In many-colored robes she is led to the king,with her virgin companions following behind her.15With joy and gladness they are led alongas they enter the palace of the king. 16In place of your fathers shall be your sons;you will make them princes in all the earth.17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.
Proverbs 5:15–19
15Drink water from your own cistern,flowing water from your own well.16Should your springs be scattered abroad,streams of water in the streets?17Let them be for yourself alone,and not for strangers with you.18Let your fountain be blessed,and rejoice in the wife of your youth,19a lovely deer, a graceful doe.Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;be intoxicated always in her love.
