² I loved her and sought her from my youth;
I desired to take her for my bride
and became enamored of her beauty.^(A)

¹⁶ When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her,
for companionship with her has no bitterness,
and life with her has no pain but gladness and joy.^(A)

¹⁸ and in friendship with her, pure delight,
and in the labors of her hands, unfailing wealth,
and in the experience of her company, understanding,
and renown in sharing her words,
I went about seeking how to get her for myself.^(A)